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The official newsletter of Rancho Peñasquitos Little League
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RPLL Families,
We're one full week into Spring 2026, and our fields are already action packed.
This week's issue is a little different. We're slowing down to shine a light on something that doesn't always get the spotlight it deserves — our Challenger Division — and sharing something from inside our coaching community that we think every RPLL family will appreciate.
Plus a quick word on Picture Day, and some important dates on the horizon that will be here faster than you think.
Let's get into it.
Jaime Solis
President · RPLL
🌟 Spotlight: RPLL Challenger Division
Some of the best baseball at Canyonside this weekend happened on field 6, and if you haven't seen it yet, you're missing something special.
What Is the Challenger Division?
The Little League Challenger Division was founded in 1989 as Little League's adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate, with players ranging from ages 4 to 18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school.
Here at RPLL, we have 13 registered players on our Challenger team this season. They are coached and supported by an incredible staff that has been with this program for years (we see you Arlene Yamane and Nicole Stowell!)
These are people who show up not just with baseball knowledge, but with genuine love for every single player on that roster.
The Buddy System
One of the things that makes Challenger so unique is the buddy program. Every Challenger player is paired with a volunteer "buddy" — a partner on the field who helps coordinate gameplay and keeps things moving.
This season, our buddies come from some amazing programs in our community:
Mt. Carmel Baseball & Softball
Westview Baseball
Rancho Bernardo High School Baseball & Softball
RPLL players and families
These young volunteers give their Saturday mornings to show up for our Challenger players, and what they get back is just as valuable as what they give.
Who We Play
Our Challenger team competes against teams from Peninsula and Scripps Ranch and every game is genuinely a joy to be around.
The energy on that field is unlike anything else in the league. Pure fun, pure baseball, and a reminder of why this game is so incredible.
📸 More Photos from This Weekend: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hs4nJrxc1iKnsREU8
If you've never come out to watch a Challenger game, we'd love to see you there. Games are typically played every Saturday at 9:30a at Canyonside, F6.
A huge thank you to our coaching staff, our buddy volunteers, and District 32 for their continued support of this program.
If you’d like to get involved as a buddy or just another set of helping hands, send an email to [email protected] to learn more!
🧢 What Our Coaches Are Talking About
RPLL is working on a newsletter for our managers and coaches, focused on everything from game strategy and player development, to league culture and more.
It's a coaches-only resource for now, but there's something in the first issue that we think every RPLL parent will find worth reading, about our umpires.
Here's the gist:
Many of our umpires are youth volunteers and first-time adult volunteers.
They are going to miss calls.
How we respond to those moments as coaches, parents, and players alike is one of the most powerful teaching opportunities this game offers.
When we stay calm after a questionable call and redirect frustration with composure, we're not just being good sports — we're teaching our kids how to handle adversity, compete without excuses, and respect people who are learning and working hard.
From the newsletter: A shaky umpire stops trusting their instincts and starts making mistakes…and nobody benefits in a situation like that.
It's a good reminder for all of us.
The full newsletter issue will be available soon, stay tuned.
📸 Picture Day: Thank You!
Picture Day at BMR yesterday went smoothly, which is no small feat on the first morning of Daylight Saving Time.
We appreciate every family who got their player up, dressed, and out the door on time. That struggle is real, and it’s a genuine win!
If you have any questions about picture day, reach out directly to: [email protected]
🏆 All-Stars Is Closer Than You Think
We know, we just started playing games. But All-Star season has a way of sneaking up fast, and we want families to have these dates on their radar now.
April 1–15 — All-Star Registration
May (TBD) — Playoffs (Minor B & above)
May 30 — Closing Day Ceremonies + Home Run Derby
Late May / Early June (TBD) — TOC, All-Star Activities & Tournaments (dates vary by division)
More details will be shared as dates are confirmed.
💥 Dinger Board Update
The home runs are stacking up fast.
Since Opening Day, three players have put their names on the Dinger Board presented by Marston Orthodontics — and one of them is already on it twice.
Steven Rojas · Intermediate · Pirates
Vince Sulit · Intermediate · Diamondbacks
Jacob Thurmes · Minor A · Pickle Padres (x2)
Every player who homers this season earns a spot on the board and an automatic entry into the Home Run Derby at Closing Day on May 30th.
Who's next?
🛍️ Gear Up: RPLL Team Shop
Show your PQ Baseball pride all season long.
👉 Shop at RPLL.Store
Apparel and gear for players, parents, and fans.
Proceeds support league programs, equipment, and events throughout the season.
⚾ Week Ahead: Games March 9–15
All times subject to change. Check with your manager for updates.
MON 3/9 · Canyonside
6:00 PM · Majors · Fried Friars (Walsh) vs. Miller's Mustard Maniacs (Miller) · F2
6:00 PM · Minor A · Man, Oh Man, Oh Manny's (Barnes) vs. Pickle Padres (Thurmes) · F3
6:00 PM · Minor B · City Crew Padres (Ishizuka) vs. French Friars (Lechuga) · F4
TUE 3/10 · Canyonside
6:00 PM · Majors · Fiesta Friars (Garcia) vs. Red Hot Chili Padres (McKeever) · F2
6:00 PM · Minor A · Bogaerts Brownie Bombers (Congdon) vs. The Flying Fig Friars (Meick) · F3
6:00 PM · Minor B · Merrill Madness (Hutter) vs. PQ Padres (Kuczwara) · F4
WED 3/11 · Canyonside
6:00 PM · Majors · Padres Elite (Davis) vs. Who's Your Padres? (Beccarelli) · F2
6:00 PM · Minor A · Slam Diego (Callahan) vs. San Diego Slammers (Mueller) · F3
6:00 PM · Minor B · San Diego Sandlot (Reilly) vs. Carne Asada Friars (Nohr) · F4
THU 3/12 · Canyonside
6:00 PM · Majors · Pipeline Padres (Hill) vs. Chunky Chihuahuas (Navarro) · F2
6:00 PM · Minor A · San Diego Rizzlers (Muren) vs. Manny's Muchachos (Petersen) · F3
6:00 PM · Minor B · Friar Fighters (Hall) vs. Slam Diego (Livingston) · F4
SAT 3/14 · Black Mountain Ranch Park
9:00 AM · Tee Ball · Racing Padres (Colton) vs. French Friars (Tappen) · F4
9:00 AM · Farm · Super Padres (Cox) vs. Perfect Pickle Padres (Selhorn) · F3
9:00 AM · Minor B · Carne Asada Friars (Nohr) vs. Friar Fighters (Hall) · F1
10:45 AM · Tee Ball · Puffball Padres (McEachern) vs. Friar Power (Flanagan) · F4
11:30 AM · Farm · Pokemon Padres (Zhang) vs. Padres Elite (Davis) · F3
12:00 PM · Minor B · Slam Diego (Livingston) vs. PQ Padres (Kuczwara) · F1
2:00 PM · Farm · Mini Crush Padres (Nguyen) vs. Padre Minors (Winandy) · F3
2:15 PM · Tee Ball · Padres Sluggers (Feldman) vs. Mini Padres (Lynch) · F4
4:00 PM · Tee Ball · Sneaky Padres (Nabors) vs. Padres Crushers (O'Leary) · F3
4:00 PM · Tee Ball · Slam Diego Padres (Moore) vs. Super Padres (Topar) · F4
SAT 3/14 · Canyonside
9:00 AM · Intermediate · Diamondbacks (Bauchman) vs. Blue Jays (Blomstrom) · F2
9:00 AM · Minor A · San Diego Slammers (Mueller) vs. San Diego Rizzlers (Muren) · F3
9:00 AM · Majors · Miller's Mustard Maniacs (Miller) vs. Pipeline Padres (Hill) · F4
12:00 PM · Intermediate · Pirates (Schneider) vs. Orioles (Stimpson) · F2
12:00 PM · Minor A · Manny's Muchachos (Petersen) vs. The Flying Fig Friars (Meick) · F3
12:00 PM · Majors · Red Hot Chili Padres (McKeever) vs. Padres Elite (Davis) · F4
12:00 PM · Juniors · Rockies (Hsieh) vs. Giants (Weir) · F6
3:00 PM · Majors · Chunky Chihuahuas (Navarro) vs. Fiesta Friars (Garcia) · F2
3:00 PM · Minor A · Bogaerts Brownie Bombers (Congdon) vs. Man, Oh Man, Oh Manny's (Barnes) · F3
3:00 PM · Minor B · Merrill Madness (Hutter) vs. City Crew Padres (Ishizuka) · F4
6:00 PM · Majors · Who's Your Padres? (Beccarelli) vs. Fried Friars (Walsh) · F2
6:00 PM · Minor A · Pickle Padres (Thurmes) vs. Slam Diego (Callahan) · F3
6:00 PM · Minor B · French Friars (Lechuga) vs. San Diego Sandlot (Reilly) · F4
SAT 3/14 · ⚠️ Away Games
12:00 PM · Juniors · Brewers (Bronaugh) vs. Presidio · Presidio - F1
1:00 PM · Juniors · Angels (Mann) vs. Point Loma · Peninsula - Bill Cleator Park🔗
RPLL Links & Contacts
📧 Player Questions: [email protected]
📧 General Questions: [email protected]
📱 Follow us on Instagram → @rpllbaseball
❤️ In Closing
Every week on these fields, something worth seeing is happening, in every division, at every level.
The Challenger game this weekend was a good reminder of that. Baseball has a way of showing us a lot of moments that really matter, when we let it.
See you at the fields.
– The RPLL Board
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