Canyon Lake hosts Little League All-Star Tournament

BY Ariana Shah

After dozens of games with teams from cities from throughout Southwest Riverside County, the All-Star Little League tournament hosted by Canyon Lake is ending today.

Teams from Little Leagues in Menifee Valley, Murrieta, Wildomar, Temecula, and Temescal Valley competed in the tournament. Despite the heat this week, fans from all teams came to cheer on their players.

A Canyon Lake Little League player bats during a game in which the Canyon Lake Little League 11U All-Stars team defeated Menifee Valley Little League, 12-2, on Sunday. Photos by Eric Frega.

Canyon Lake’s AAA All Star team moved up to compete in the 11U Majors Division and did well. The team went undefeated, except to Temecula, which won all of its games through Tuesday.

“They played in the AAA division throughout the regular season and moved up to Majors for this tournament,” Eric Frega, the team’s coach, said. “We defeated Wildomar Little League by 25-0. The second game on Saturday was at noon and they had to battle that blistering heat. It was 105° at the start of the game.”

Weeknight games took place at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Fans not only came for the baseball, but also for snacks and meals.

“Our snack bar was stocked and we’ve been having food trucks every other night,” Tiffany White, one of the volunteer player moms, said. “We’re grateful for the community support, and we’re so proud of the kids.”