Back row: Coach Ryan Habbeshaw, Coach Ernesto Ramos, (player) Ben Boekee, Manager Josh Puch, and Coach Perry Settlemoir III. Middle row: Alex Hurtado, Logan Keiser, Alan Campuzano, Brenden Guzman, Xzavier Puch, Gavin Guzman, Perry Settlemoir IV, Brayden Prescott, and Logan Perasso. Front row: Julian Mendoza, Carson Ramos, and Declan Habbeshaw. Courtesy photo

DIXON, CA (MPG) - A year ago, Dixon’s Little League’s 8-10 All Star Team made the front page for being the first to ever make District 64 Champions and their winning streak continued into this season. They may have moved up into the next age group, 9-11, but have kept the same spirit of teamwork, nabbing District 64 All Star Championship again.

They will now play in the Sectionals; the double-elimination tournament in American Canyon beginning July 11.

“I think we have a really good chance,” said Coach Josh Puch, who has son Xavier on the team. “They are smart baseball players and are aggressive when they hit the ball. I absolutely think we have a shot to make the sections.”

Puch, who grew up in Dixon and graduated from Dixon High, is in his third year of coaching. He reported what makes this team really special is most of the team is the same boys who have played together for years.

“They are not selfish. They play the game the right way. Teamwork is a big thing with them, and they are all excited when one kid makes the play,” he added. “The parent support has been outstanding in everything, too, from getting them to practice to getting them to the games early.”

Sarah Settlemoir agrees.

“We have great parents, even with the heat. They just roll with it. They move or find shade and do anything to make it less miserable,” she said. “One parent even went on Amazon and found a large fan that gets attached to a bucket of ice, so it becomes an automatic mist cooler.” She talked of her pride when looking out at “a sea of green in the stands” parents and family who attend the games. One of the most exciting moments, especially for her, she said, came at the end: the bases were loaded; it was the 7th inning; and the teams were tied 7 – 7. Her son, Perry Settlemoir IV, got the walk off single, making them two-time District 64 Champions!

Puch has a team of coaches including Ernesto Ramos, Ryan Habbeshaw, and Perry Settlemoir III.

“There were other guys that came out and helped get the team ready, too,” Puch said. “Coaching has been great to build an even stronger relationship with [my son] and working through times when it’s not going our way. It’s taught me a lot.” The coaches work on motions as well as leadership, knowing that they won’t always be their son’s coach. There will be middle school and high school coaches next.

Coaches want the boys to have discipline and leadership, Puch explained.

“On a personal level, coaching gives an opportunity to bond [with your son and their teammates] and helps the community as a whole because they get stronger and better,” he said, encouraging other fathers to step up. “You don’t have to have the knowledge, but you have to put the work in at the end of the day.”

Chad Peppers certainly put in the work. He’s managed or coached all of his son’s teams over the years. He managed this year’s Little League All Stars Juniors which are ages 12-14 with plenty of help from coaches Mike Pothier, Pat Callen, and Bebo Torres.

This age group is the last age group in Little League, and they ended also as Champions.

“We played a District Tournament with three teams, and we won all three games to win the Championship with great pitching, followed by great defense, and great, aggressive base running,” Peppers said.  “Lots of the boys grew up in Little League either playing on the same teams or against each other. It was our goal to set the example of what to expect at the next level for high school. I think they are pretty prepared.” It’s rewarding, he explained, to see the boys playing well together and he enjoys the other coaches. It’s even better they also became Champions.

The team players are Jayson Callen, Iziah Campos, Gavin Peppers, Armondo Lizzaraga, Gabriel Villasenor, Giovanni Gutto, Brandin Victorine, Albert Galindo, Cyrus Pothier, Sunny Medina, Luka Vaupotich, Tommy Skeehan, Ethan Lyda, and Corbin Thomason.

 Dixon Little League District 64 All Star Juniors are Champions. Courtesy photo