By Kirk Kern
One of the most unique aspects of opening ceremonies at Mountain Ridge Little League is that it gives players a chance to get creative—designing products to sell and earn a little money.
Carlos Guerrero, 11, a member of the Triple-A Dodgers, embraced the baseball theme by creating necklace holders shaped like home plate. The project also gave Carlos an opportunity to bond with his father, Luis, who helped him build the pieces.
“I was thinking, ‘What could we make that would be something unique?’” Carlos said. “So I came up with this.”
In addition to holding necklaces, the design includes space to display a game ball, medals and other items. Carlos and Luis worked together to cut, assemble and paint the wood pieces. In keeping with his Dodgers team, they were finished in Dodger blue—despite Luis and his wife, Michelle, both being Padres fans.
By the end of the opening ceremonies—which featured several other young entrepreneurs, along with booths from league sponsors—Carlos had sold three necklace holders, along with various necklaces and other jewelry.
“We did it all together,” said Carlos, a fifth grader at Bilbray Elementary School. “It was fun.”
This is his second year in the league, where he plays outfield and third base.
“He’s got a good swing—lots of power,” Michelle said.
The Guerreros live in Skye Canyon, and Michelle said one of the things they like most about the area is its strong sense of community.
“We know all our neighbors,” she said. “We know everybody around us.”