Santa Cruz Little League players and coaches pose for a league photo on Opening Day. Contributed photo 
Teams start the season with the Little League pledge and National Anthem. Photo by Dave Porter 
Little League T ball players get ready to take the field. Photo by Dave Porter 
Coach Kate Peake cheers on Anderson Porter as he rounds third base for a grand slam homerun in their opening game. Photo by Dave Porter
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The Santa Cruz Little League officially kicked off its 2025 season Saturday at the Sonoita Fairgrounds with opening ceremonies, team pictures, a couple of home runs, and—you guessed it—hotdogs.
This year the league broke all enrollment records, boasting 72 kids signing up for the season. Seven teams will be competing at varying ages and skill levels ranging from T Ball to Coach-Pitch to the Minors and Majors.
Parents, family, spectators, coaches and players filled the ball park for the ceremonies. League President Aaron Thomas acknowledged the remarkable backing from locals and local establishments for the league. “We are excited that our communities support us amazingly well,” he said. “We’re very thankful for it.”
This year new equipment including bats, balls and 15 helmets were purchased along with a new T Ball stand.
Thomas is excited about the season and new opportunities for the players.
“Both the Minors and Majors are playing their games in conjunction with the Benson Little League or San Pedro Little League so we have some home games and some away games,” he said. “We’ve also got some games at the Patagonia Schools. We got an agreement with the (Patagonia) superintendent so we’re going to utilize all their facilities this year, which we haven’t done in the last few years.”
Closing ceremonies will be held May 22 at the Sonoita Fairgrounds.