Beaumont Coyotes hosting 37th Annual 4th Of July Tournament

June 24, 2014

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GREAT STORY FROM BOB OTTO

 

Beaumont Coyotes hosting 37th Annual 4th Of July Tournament

Written by Bob on June 24th, 2014

David Valdivia started the Beaumont Coyotes men’s fastpitch team and its tournament in 1977 and the team and tournament carry on to this day. Photo By BOB OTTO

BEAUMONT, Calif. – Every 4th of July weekend, Rangel Park in Beaumont comes alive. It’s time for the Beaumont Coyotes annual men’s fastpitch tournament that draws some of the better teams from Southern California.

David Valdivia started the tournament in 1977. It’s been going off, well, like fireworks ever since, now marking the 37th year of the popular event.

He recalls that first year fondly when the home-run hitting Cororna Chicanos (then managed by the legendary Jim ‘Chayo’ Rodriguez) launched a homer assault on “Valdivia Field,” which the City of Beaumont named in honor of Valdivia’s many years of service to softball and the city.

“The fences down the left field line and right field line are 200 and 220 feet (respectively) and 230 in center,” Valdivia said. “There was chain link 12-feet high back then, but the ball still sailed over the fences. There was something like 96 homers hit in the tournament, and the Chicanos with Ray and Freddy Bega and Joey and Jim Rodriguez hit a lot of them.”

 

The chain link has been raised to 18-feet, but still the home runs fly out of the quaint little park. And he expects the assault will continue this year.

Hundreds of home runs have been hit over the short fences at Valdivia Field at Rangel Park in Beaumont, Calif. in the 37 years of the Coyotes 4th of July Tournament. Photo By BOB OTTO

Returning is the two-time defending champion, Pala Braves, who defeated the Coyotes in the title game last year. Along with the Braves, the Chicanos, a team from the Soboba Indian Reservation, and two Corona teams, the Rebels and Redline, the Morongo Hitmen, and the Colton Dirtbags have committed.

TOURNEY DETAILS

Nine teams in all have entered, but Valdivia has room for one more to complete the 10-team, double elimination format.

The tournament is classified ASA C Division with an entry fee of $350. Deadline for entering (if not filled sooner) is Sunday, June 29.

The games will begin on Friday at about 8:30 a.m. on the 4th of July, with the championship tentatively scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.

“We want to finish early on the 4th of July,” Valdivia said, “so that people can watch their fireworks shows.”

Valdivia said that awards and trophies would be given for first and second place, Most Valuable player and pitcher, and the 10 all-tourney selections.

SOFTBALL AND GREAT FOOD

The tournament is popular in the Pass Area of Beaumont and Banning. The softball action certainly draws fans. But so does the food – great home cooked Mexican food prepared by the Valdivia family of wives, aunts and nieces.

(I can attest that the food, prepared in the ‘Coyote Café’, will tempt and dazzle your taste buds.)

A TRUE COYOTE

The Coyotes will field a team comprised of several of Valdivia’s sons and nephews including the versatile Richard Soriano, along with pitchers Jason Martinez and Truman Thompson.

Thompson, who turns age 74 this year, is being encouraged to come out and throw, Valdivia said. In his heyday, it was not uncommon for Thompson to throw five to seven games in a weekend.

And he has been a Coyote for most of his fastpitch career.

“He started pitching for me in 1978,” Valdivia said. “And he’s been with me ever since. He has been so loyal.

For more information, call David Valdivia at 951-454-1977.