Stockton,
California
California
Dee Dee Martinez
District Administrator
District Administrator
The tournament draw will occur in a meeting with all Presidents or their appointed representatives on Wednesday, May 28. At that time all District Tournaments (TOCs and All Stars) will be seeded by draw. On Wednesday, June 4, the District will host a tournament clinic that is mandatory for all managers/coaches, host league officials, tournament directors and umpires to review important tournament rules and regulations for the Tournament of Champions. A like-meeting for All Stars will occur on Wednesday, June 18, which is very important as some All Star rules are different than regular season rules.
Family and friends are invited to join CA District 8Little League and Western Little League to celebrate Harold Ewer’s life. We will gather to share remembrances on November 9, 2024, from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Madison Park, 3000 W Marine Avenue, Stockton, CA 95204—the home of Western Little League. Harold devoted immeasurable time to the youth of our community through the Little League program in Stockton, California. He was a manager and coach and served on the boards of Western Little League and Northern Little League. He was also a long-serving member of the CA District 8 Little League staff as the Assistant Director, Challenger Program. In the Little League tradition, we will serve “team meals,” hot dog, chips, and water/soft drink. We invite guests to bring their favorite side dishes or desserts to share. In Harold’s honor we will gratefully accept donations of any amount to support the Challenger Program administered by Western Little League.
Flyer
When you hear things like, "He's the nicest guy you could ever meet," it's no wonder all parents want Coach Bill to be their son's or daughter's coach.
Coach Bill” Bruneel has had a lifetime passion for baseball, and especially youth baseball. A farming accident at age 5 resulted in a severely injured right leg which kept him from doing some things, however, he was able to overcome that for the game he loved. Growing up in Idaho, he played first base/pitcher for Babe Ruth, high school, and American Legion baseball. In addition, he followed his younger brother’s sport activities, where at a baseball game(!) he met his wife of 53 years, Kimberly. Bill coached his first group of 12-year-olds in 1973 at Lewiston, Idaho, before there were any Bruneel kids of his own to train. As his sons, Benji and Brett (who are now 45 and 40 respectively), began to play ball. Bill got more involved with Little League. When Brett moved on from Majors, Bill remained coaching at that level and has now been doing so for over 30 years, specifically at Sunrise Little League (now Delta-Sunrise). During these years Bill has not only taught baseball fundamentals, but also learned many things himself. One being that a player’s attitude and sportsmanship are as important to the team as their athletic skills. Another lesson he found out early on is, in an elimination tournament, you never “save” your ace pitcher for the next game!
As a forever New York Yankees fan, Bill continues to coach the Major Yankees at Delta Sunrise. When Little League International added an 11-year-old All-Star category in 2004, he started coaching that group and has done so every year since, winning several championship banners along the way. He is known by many as “Coach Bill” and often has grown men walk up to greet him, and since they are older and much bigger, doesn’t always recognize them. He does realize that at age 75 he is now coaching some second-generation ball players. Having just retired from a 57-year banking career, Bill is now able to spend more time doing ball field maintenance and more importantly, enjoying the game of baseball with young athletes.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Coach Bill.
Enjoy an article regarding Bill's recent retirement. Lodinews.com
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