Preparations in full swing for Martinez Sturgeon’s ‘24 season
MARTINEZ, CA (Mar. 26, 2024) — The start of the upcoming Martinez Sturgeon Professional Baseball Club season may not kick off until the latter part of May, but before a first pitch is thrown there is plenty of activity going behind the scenes to ensure a successful 2024 campaign.
From finding host families to ironing out details for the popular kids baseball camps, and bolstering sponsorship support and arranging for Contra Costa County’s public access TV station to broadcast all the home action from multiple camera positions around the ballpark, there’s no shortage of tasks on Sturgeon General Manager Eric Halverson’s to do list.
The club’s first pitch is Wednesday, May 22, against North Bay rivals San Rafael Pacifics.
The team will again be under the watchful eye of second-year manager Hew Repplinger who will begin running his charges through their paces the week May 13 when pre-season workouts commence at the team’s home park, Martinez Waterfront Park, 1204 Joe DiMaggio Dr. Practices are open to the public.
Down to the wire
Last season, the club was right in the thick of the playoff race right down the wire of the season.
An essential part of current pre-season preparations is arranging suitable accommodations for the players before they descend on the area. Area families who are willing to open their homes for the season that runs into August with the playoffs are needed.
“A dozen or so families are needed for hosting players,” said Halverson. “Without host families, we are unable to have a team.”
Expectations of prospective families are: providing a player with his own room for the season; access to a washer and dryer if possible; access to a bathroom; access to a kitchen; and providing a safe and comfortable environment.
For the families, they can expect a conscientious young man who will be a positive role model in the residence and community. Sturgeon players are expected to follow the rules of the house, contribute to the family’s routines, and share his gratitude for the generosity of his host family. It is not unusual for a player to become a mentor to a young ball player sharing skills and building a friendship that could last a lifetime.
Strong community following
A strong community following was established last year through the efforts of the club’s boosters who assisted Halverson, and even stronger backing is shaping up for 2024.
“We have a great board with different skill sets and who are excited to have baseball in town,” said Halverson. “It is a matter of finding the right people willing to put in the time.”
Among the in-season activities already set is an expanded kids baseball camp program where Sturgeon ball players assist. Last season 346 participants took part. Advanced registration is required for the nine scheduled camps and fees are paid online. See www.martinezsturgeon.com for more details. Camps are open to youths 6- to 17-year-old, with the first one taking place May 27.
“(The camps have) gained more community traction for us too,” said Halverson.
Interested in serving as a host family or contributing talents and skills to the club in different capacities? Contact Halverson at Martinezsturgeon1@gmail.com.
David Scholz
David Scholz is back in journalism as a freelance writer and photographer after nearly two decades in education. Prior to moving into teaching in 2000, he worked as a full-time journalist since 1988 for rural community and small daily newspapers in Central Ohio and Northern Nevada, and later in California with The Business Journal in Fresno and dailies in the Bay Area, including The Oakland Tribune and The San Francisco Chronicle. More recently Scholz also worked in an editing, writing, and page layout role with the Rossmoor News.