The contest will be held at Stonehouse Park on August 21 and August 22, and should prove to be another fine community event. The Bandits’ first game is on Saturday August 21 at 1:00PM. The Bandits will take on the New Almaden Quicksilvers (Bay Area Vintage Base Ball champions). The morning match-up is set for 10:00AM, which pits the Highlanders against the California Vintage Base Ball Federation champion, Santa Clara Stogies. Like the Bandits, the Stogies boast an undefeated regular season.

Winners of these two contests will play in the final at 1:00PM on Sunday August 22. The victor will stake their claim as this year’s California Cup Champion (currently held by fellow GCVBB club, Amador County Crushers). Come on out and be a “crank”! Support the local team in their effort to bring the  California Cup home to Rancho Murieta, and keep the Cup within GCVBB.

The Sacramento Ronald McDonald House recently held a raffle to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northern California. The tickets were $150 a piece and the raffle winners were drawn on May 29th. The grand prize winner was Marie A. Callahan of Rancho Murieta.

The Callahans won the Grand Prize, a $1,699,000 House in Granite Bay. They may alternatively elect to receive a cash prize of $1,200,000.

Congratulations to the Callahans.

Folsom, is the overall DRL champion and both Folsom and Jesuit will represent the DRL in the Divisionals which start on Monday at El Macero country club. Pleasant Grove which did not qualify as a team did qualify 5 players who will compete on Monday as individuals in the divisions. The qualifyers from Pleasant Grove are Cole Zarecky, Stephen Mesich, Michael Grenz, David Snider, and Ross Martin. If any of these five players are able to qualify from El Macero, they will advance to the Masters tournament the following Monday at The Reserve in Stockton.

The Crushers took an early one run lead in the top of the first. But the Bandits stormed back for three runs in the bottom of the frame, when the first three Bandit strikers crossed the plate. Terry “T-Bone” Conway’s 3 for 3 effort led the charge, and the Bandits never surrendered the lead. Although Bandit strikers continued to reach base in large numbers, the final Bandit run was tallied in the second frame after Bob “Bullet” Gignilliat reached base, stole a base, and was driven in by Todd “Nellie” Dilbeck.

Starting hurler, Jonathan “Junk Yard Dog” Aberle, was on his game, inducing many ground ball outs. “Vintage hits” were hard to come by because of the fine leather of the Bandits. Scout (outfield) play of the Bandits was particularly impressive by Todd “Hammock” Pennington, “T-Bone” Conway, Darrin “Cookie” Kitchen, and “Nellie” Dilbeck as they recorded outs in the challenging high sun and breeze. Scott “Leather” Oltmanns shut down two Crusher rallies over the final three innings, and the Bandits came away with their consecutive win of the young season.

The team would like to thank the Relay for Life team “Family for Life” for providing traditional ball park BBQ. Many cranks and ballists visited the BBQ stand, and proceeds directly benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Bandits have two weeks off with a bye and Mother’s Day approaching. Their next game is at 10:00 AM on Sunday May 16th at Amador High School. The day features the Bandits playing the defending champion Sierra Highlanders (1-0), and will determine which team stakes an early claim to the top of the standings.

For more information, you can visit the league site at www.gcvbb.com

OKC Corral will be held May 1st from 5 – 11 p.m. at the Murieta Equestrian Center. The event will feature a gourmet prime rib and chicken dinner, poker tournament, casino style gaming, fun games, silent auction, raffle drawing, live band, dancing, cocktails and more! Don’t miss out on the kick-off to Rancho Murieta’s party season!

The OKC Corral is sponsored by Rancho Murieta Optimist Club, Kiwanis Club of Rancho Murieta and Cosumnes River Elementary. Funds from this event help support local children’s sporting programs, GATE Programs, youth scholarships, Kids Fishing Day, Eagle Scout Projects, teen nights, youth concerts, service clubs, 4th of July festivities, CRES and many other youth programs

For more information visit: www.okccorral.org

The Bandit hurlers and defense were the story of the day. Matt “Splint” Corsaut continued his crafty blind start to the season. He was supported by fantastic defensive play, including an assist from the right field wall by Mark “Manley” Walthers. Jonathan “Junk Yard Dog” Aberle also continued his hurling momentum, inducing many ground ball outs, and striking out two. A running snag by right scout John “Deuce Hog” Dodson prevented a mid-inning surge from the Nine. Greg “Bacon” Jorgensen escaped a sixth inning scare, but struck out two on his way to keeping the Nine off the score board. Scott “Leather” Oltmanns closed things out by surrendering only one hit in the seventh.

An otherwise silent day from the Bandit strikers was enough for six runs and the victory. One and two hitters, “Bacon” Jorgensen and Blake “Calaboose” Carmichael, each crossed the plate twice. Darrin “Cookie” Kitchen (2-3, 2B, 1 RBI) led the charge for the Bandit offense, reaching safely all three of his at bats.

The Bandits play their second home game this coming Sunday April 25th at 1PM. The Bandits square off with the Amador County Crushers (0-1), who are looking to rebound from their opening day loss. The morning tilt at 10AM features the Mother Lode Miners (0-1) and the Preston Nine. Both teams fighting hard for their first win of the young season.

BBQ will again be offered at the park. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society and their signature event Relay for Life. Team members from “Family for Life” will offer hot dogs, hot links, and other ball park fare to help raise money for cancer research, treatment, and patient support. Please come out to support your local organizations, and enjoy another great day of base ball in your back yard!

For more information, you can visit the league site at www.gcvbb.com.

The funds raised from last year’s St. Paddy’s Day Event in 2009 are announced below:

We are pleased to announce that the funds raised from last year’s St. Paddy’s Day Event have been awarded. The Club is sending two young women from Pleasant Grove High School on June 21st to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Camp at Grizzly Creek Ranch in Portola California. RYLA is a complete scholarship awarded to men and women of high school age who are leaving their junior year and will be next year’s senior high class. The intent of our program is to prepare these students for leadership roles in their senior year and beyond. Congratulations to Theresa Totah and Rajveer Dhaliwal, both young women are members of the Pleasant Grove Interact Club and have goals in the health sciences area.

At Camp RYLA the young women will have the opportunity to learn more about themselves through the voices and eyes of people who have experienced life, people who can help our youth see things from a different viewpoint. They will learn not only from special speakers, volunteer Rotarians and non-Rotarians, but by interacting with other scholarship winners from high schools from northern California and Nevada. If there is a young person in your home entering their junior year in September 2010 and this program sounds of interest, please contact the local Rotary Club. Applications for next year’s RYLA Camp are due by December 31st, 2010.

We are also pleased to announce that the Rotary Club of Rancho Murieta will be again sponsoring a student abroad for a 10 month cultural and educational exchange through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program (RYE). Paul Orozco, who is a senior at Folsom High School, will represent Rancho Murieta in Spain beginning August 2010. Paul is currently participating in the educational sessions provided by the Rotary District 5180 prior to his departure to assist him in his integration with his new host families. Our inbound exchange student is from Germany, Sandro Mueller; he will also arrive in August and will attend Folsom High School. Sandro will be a regular attendee at Rotary Meetings here in Rancho Murieta and we will be holding special meetings to introduce him meet our community, date to be announced. Many of you know that our inbound student this year is from Brazil and has lived in Rancho Murieta since August, attending Pleasant Grove High School. Luis Felipe (Phillip) Caetano has had many adventures these past months and will be discussing his perspective of this adventure at the April 28th Rotary meeting (7:00 RMCC). All residents are welcome to come and learn about the Rotary Youth Exchange and one experience of a young man. Phillip is an outstanding student and young man, he will return to Brazil in July to study for his university exams. The local Rotary Club supports both inbound and outbound students financially and is responsible for the young person’s health and safety, providing counseling and support. If a high school student in your family is interested in experiencing life in another country, please contact the local Rotary Club for more information. Applications for next year’s RYE Program are due by December 31, 2010.

“Thank You” Rancho Murieta!

Under 1987’s Measure A, people who live in home built before 1987 pay $45.84 a year, but with the reduction, they would pay $13.75. Residents whose homes were built between January 26, 1987 and June 30, 1998, pay $117.84 annually, but with the reduction they would pay $35.35. The lower rates also apply to apartments and mobile homes.

Measure A – 1987 helped improve every school in the area, including new multipurpose rooms, science labs, libraries, and playground equipment. The 1987 bond also accounted for seven percent of the cost to build new schools, while the 1998 bond contributes approximately 19 percent to the cost of building new schools. The balance comes from state funds and developer fees.

The Measure A that voters approved in March 1998 retains the 70 percent discount for seniors and disabled people on future housing assessed at $180 or $200 per year. This 1998 assessment will help pay for improvements at every school including technology and safety measures, as well as modernization at schools over 25 years old.

To receive the discount, qualified people apply directly with your school district. Landlords must pass the tax savings on to renters who receive the reduction.

People who qualify for the tax reduction must reapply each year, which can be done by phone, mail, email or in person. The reduction will not be given without a current application or renewal.

Starting hurler, Matt “Splint” Corsaut made quick work of the Miners, as he surrendered no hits during his three innings in the box. Relievers Jonathan “Junk Yard” Aberle, Scott “Leather” Oltmanns, and Todd “Penny” Pennington followed suit, allowing only 5 hits over four innings.

The Bandit bats also came alive early and often. Blake “Calaboose” Carmichael hit safely in the first at bat of the season. Two batters later, “Splint” Corsaut crushed his first of two triples to drive in the first run of the season. A six run 4th and a seven run 6th tallied by the Bandits proved to be too much for the Miners to overcome. Muffins Darrin “Cookie” Kitchen (2×3) and Greg “Bacon” Jorgensen (3×4) did not disappoint in their debuts, tallying a combined 7 runs. Veteran power hitters Colby “Cheddar” Craig and Terry “T-Bone” Conway broke out with 2 for 4 days, while the speedy Todd “Nellie” Dilbeck and the crafty John “Deuce Hog” Dodson rounded out the day reaching base two times each, and crossing the plate for three more runs. At the completion of the blustery day, the Bandits prevailed 19-3 versus their long time (though gentlemanly) nemesis.

The Bandits are coming home this Sunday April 18th to play one of two games at Stonehouse II Park. The Bandits line-up against a revamped Ione Preston Nine at 1PM. The morning tilt at 10AM is a re-match of the 2009 championship contest between the Amador County Crushers, and defending champion Sierra Highlanders. Both games will prove to be highly entertaining.

Traditional ball park BBQ will be available from the Rancho Murieta Capitals; our local youth traveling softball team. Please come out to the park to support their efforts in raising funds that help them travel to various tournaments across the country.

Hope to catch you at the yard soon! For more information, you can visit the league site at www.gcvbb.com

Registration packets should be arriving this week in the mail for players that played in previous seasons. Registration fees are listed in your registration instructions. Registrations submitted after June 1 will have a late fee and players will be placed if space is available.

The RMSC will have 3 Walk Up Dates scheduled here in Rancho Murieta. They are April 17 from 10-2, May 22 from 9-12 and May 29 from 10-2. They will all be held at Stonehouse Park.

Additional Registration Packets are available via the club’s website www.rmsoccer.com

Senior Cole Zarecky scored a 1-under-par 71 in the first round of the Delta River League tournament at Wildhawk Golf Club. Both PG and Folsom High School totaled a 383 with four of its six golfers finishing in the top 10. Jesuit was six shots back at 389. Sheldon was fourth at 464, Monterey Trail fifth at 467 and Florin sixth at 577. Other top PG players were David Snider who finished fourth individually with a 3-over 75 and Michael Grenze was two shots back with a 77. Stephen Mesich carded a 78 to round out the players in the top ten.

Zarecky and the rest of the Pleasant Grove team practices after school at the Rancho Murieta Country Club every day. The next Delta River League tournament will be on April 14th at 12:30pm here in Rancho Murieta. Come out and support these local golfers.

There will be a benefit carwash and BBQ on April 11th to benefit the Rodness family. The event will be held at the RMA building from 10am-2pm. Tickets are $10.00. There will be a raffle. Some of the prizes include Kings Tickets, restaurant gift certificates, Golf, iTunes card, and more.

To purchase tickets you can email or call Gretchen Guptil at guptils@sbcglobal.net or 916-206-5082. Tickets can also be purchased at From My Heart gift shop or Murieta Health Club.

Come out to support one of our Murieta families.

All proceeds from the walk will be split to establish a scholarship for an Elk Grove High School senior and to contribute to the education fund for SFC Hall’s three-year old daughter, Addison. Please bring your family and join us on April 10, 2010 for a lovely 5K (3.1 miles) walk in Elk Grove Regional Park. The walk begins at 10:00 a.m., ending with a delicious lunch provided by Outback Steakhouse.

Cost of the walk is $20.00 per person; family discount for three or more family members is $50.00; a group of 10 or more is $100.00. Please submit completed entry forms no later than March 28, 2010.

Click Here For an Entry Form

RMSC – On behalf of all the families involved in RMSC soccer, thank you for accepting the position of President for the 2010 season. What were your thoughts when you were elected President?

BW – My initial hope was that I would meet the level of professionalism that the previous Presidents (Kevin Slagle & Paul Frank) displayed. We have been very lucky that our past Board Members were dedicated and had excellent foresight. The previous Boards have made this transition painless.

RMSC – You have a long history of volunteering to make RMSC a great experience for so many. From coaching multiple teams, referring games, and the past couple seasons adding the job of being the Ref coordinator. Can you share some memories of each of these positions?

BW – I never put any thought into volunteering for the Board until Sam Somers called one night. He convinced me to  work as the Coaching Coordinator and I had a great time in that position. I found that I enjoyed the members of the Board as much as the work. The Referee Coordinators job is the toughest on the Board. Kevin likened it to having another soccer team every Saturday and I agree with him. Hans Merten will do a great job as the current Ref Chief.

RMSC – It’s difficult for many of us to juggle the responsibilities of being a busy volunteer while maintaining family life and a career. Do you have any tips or encouragement for prospective volunteers who may be considering getting involved but not sure how it all fits together?

BW – Children appreciate the time you spend with them and if you can’t coach, just show up and help out. It is a rewarding experience that will provide happy memories.

RMSC – What do you feel is unique about the RMSC community?

BW – Rancho Murieta is a close knit community which is different from most other Clubs in EGYSL. We have one primary park with excellent facilities. We aren’t spread out across as many neighborhoods. This fosters Club support and is the center of activity on Saturday afternoons.

RMSC – What highlights of your years of involvement come to mind when you look back over the history of RMSC since its 2004 inception?

BW – RMSC was started so that we would have more control over the direction in which our Club would progress. The initial Board did an exceptional job and set a course that we still follow today. Recreational soccer is still the primary focus for this club and we are proud that we provide a positive soccer experience for all children who wish to play.

RMSC – Are there any league changes we should look forward to for the upcoming 2010 season?

BW – There are a few new rules that will affect our Club. Referees will have new age requirements and Coaches will be required to attend specific training. These changes will enhance soccer in Rancho Murieta and other
EGYSL Clubs. Also, there will be an online registration option this year in addition to our normal walk-up day day registration at Stonehouse Park, and two locations in Elk Grove.

RMSC – Any final thoughts?

BW – Young children will have a chance to experience soccer through our “Little Kickers” program that is coming this summer. The big soccer field will be undergoing extensive repairs in the near future. This, along with
the new lights, should make for an exciting 2010 season.

Republished with permission from RMSC. Original Article