Rebels March for a good cause

On this perfect Saturday morning, Riverside hosted it's 61st Annual March of Dimes walk for Babies. A scenic 6 mile walk through downtown Riverside passing Mount Rubidoux, the old land-mark homes surrounding it, along side the lake at Fairmont Park then up Main Street and back to our starting point at Riverside Community College.

Our team was ready to go at 7 am this morning...not sure they knew just how long 6 miles actually is...but with their teammates and all the energy in the world, our Rebels were ready to face this challenge...one step or leap at a time...

Before we left, we took a photo of the Rebels. With our Guest of Honor, Alexis!
It was more than just a walk for us...having Coach Jason (holding the Princess) and Team Mom Sylvia's grandchild Alexis born 3 months early has opened our eyes to the importance of having our babies born healthy and strong. Born at 1.9 lbs, Alexis is now 7 months old and is 12 lbs....just a sassy and sweet little angel. She came to invite the team one Sunday afternoon at practice to walk for a special cause...to raise money to help all babies be born healthy. Our Rebels accepted the challenge and embraced Alexis as their Team Ambassador...

So off we went into our great city...

Also tried to give a little history lesson along the way...I think they were more interested in climbing the statue of DeAnza...


So how does all this tie together; March of Dimes and Riverside Rebels? In tryin to keep up with our team motto "Athletes of Character", we thought it would be good to give back to our community. We feel at the Riverside Baseball Club that there is more to it than just the fundamentals of baseball. It's teaching them the life skills that will mold their character into great contributors in our community and make a difference in the lives of others.

So it was an easy fit when we decided to have the boys walk and raise almost $900 as a team for the March of Dimes. What exactly did it cost us? Nothing but time and energy...and boy did they have energy the ENTIRE 6 miles. They were troopers and didn't complain once having to walk that long.

Even received some compliments along the way on our shirts...the back reads "Athletes of Character"...."A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" ~ Jackie Robinson.

With some of our parents joining in on the fun, we finished our walk in an hour and 45 minutes (give or take).



As we near the finish line, the team realizes that they've completed their goal!!! They are excited and somehow still full of energy!!!


Enough energy to run across the finish line to have their names announced over the loud speaker!!! That was pretty cool to hear Riverside Rebels Baseball Club announced for all to hear!


Congrats Rebels on a job well done...a little dog pile on Nolan and Gavin (the birthday boy) seemed overdue on that long walk...

So after their complimentary hot dog lunch and free give-a-ways, the boys take one last moment to see Alexis and take a team photo with her.
Until next time when we get this great group of players together to do good in our local community...

...next stop....Cal Ripken clinic tomorrow and coming soon...climbing Mt. Rubidoux for an outing with the dads!!!

Rebels visit the Highlanders

What a sight!! Our fabulous Rebels got to have a fun day today...we all went to the UCR game to see them battle against UCI...didn't quite turn out to be the game the Highlanders had expected, but our team had a great time.

As they anxiously awaited to walk on the field with the players, Coach Corey sat with the team prior to the game and gave them some pointers on how to prepare themselves to take the field....just like the big boys.

Before hearing their names called on the loudspeaker the kids joined in the huddle for a team moment!! Next they ran out to their respective positions and did the National Anthem.

Brandon runs out to Centerfield with Uhl #4....

Kayla makes her way to Short Stop with Hairgrove #10...

Not to far of a run for Kobe at 3rd with Goetz #6...

Nolan joins Brantly #11 behind the plate...

Micheal runs fast to make it to Right Field with Nesbitt #22...


Gavin can't make it to 2nd Base fast enough with Horst #1...


Joshua almost beats McConkey #29 at 1st base...

Matthew was certain to beat Gonzales #3 to Right Field...

And Brett was able to take the last stroll to the mound with starting pitcher #35...

It was a very proud moment for us parents; the cameras were flashing like no tomorrow. I can only dream of how it will be like to have our kids get to this level of baseball in their own lives. One thing is for certain, when they do reach that level (if that is the road that is chosen for them), then they will be upstanding role models as the UCR Highlanders have shown us tonight.

Overall the kids had a great night, from meeting the players and running on to the field to getting their autographs on a baseball after the game...this will surely be a night for them to remember for years to come. And I am certain that the values that the Riverside Rebels Organization instills in them will enable them to be just as dedicated baseball players and contributors to the community as the UCR Highlanders.

Thanks to all the Rebels players that attended, your dedicated families and to the UCR Baseball Team...we will go out into our community and make a difference and pay it forward when our time comes....

Join Riverside Rebels 9U March of Dimes Walk

How fortunate and blessed we are to have such healthy children playing on our team. They are able to run, catch, hit and slide into home. On top of being great athletes, they are great people!

The Riverside Rebels 9U Team is joining many other Riverside residents on April 25th in the March of Dimes March for Babies...see our team page and join our team to help babies in our community be born healthy. Click on the picture to get linked to our team page.

Individually we are doing a small part, but together we can raise awareness and promote our team to be the "Athletes of Character" we strive for them to be.