Youth Sports

A team of volunteers came together to restore the AAA field and dugouts at Siltanen Park in Scotts Valley just in time for the opening of the baseball season this year, and the father who spearheaded the drive has been thrust into the spotlight. But...

Scotts Valley/San Lorenzo Valley Competitive Soccer Club teams recently had an outstanding weekend on the field, bringing home multiple championships from two major Halloween tournaments—the Fremont Kick-or-Treat and the Morgan Hill Thriller. Teams from across the region competed in these spirited events, many in full...

Jeri Kievlan is the founder and head coach of the Santa Cruz Mountains Renegades, a competitive youth fastpitch softball program in Santa Cruz County. The program was created by Kievlan to provide a year-round feeder program for girls 12 and under to develop their skills...

Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.” Based on that quote, the Santa Cruz Derby Groms’ Gromshells are winners through and through. The team of Scotts Valley-based roller derby enthusiasts acquired some impressive...

Scotts Valley Little League AAA Pirates etched their names into District 39 history on June 15, edging out the Santa Cruz Little League AAA Angels 9-8 in a heart-pounding championship showdown to become the 2025 Minor League Tournament of Champions (TOC) winners. This marks the...

Santa Cruz Derby Groms’ Gromshells is an all-female junior roller derby team based out of Scotts Valley. In the past few years, this gritty team of rough-and-tumble athletes have proven their excellence many times over, and this year is shaping up to be no...

A real-life Hallmark movie unfolded for the Scotts Valley-based 10U Banshees recreational girls’ softball team at Siltanen Park last Wednesday evening. After losing their first tournament game in devastating fashion (by giving up a five-run lead in the bottom of the last inning), the Banshees...

Simmering tensions between the City of Scotts Valley and youth sports leagues over proposed fees hikes boiled over during the April 2 regularly scheduled Council meeting when a girls softball coach teared-up providing public comment. Alexandra Sklar, co-director of Scotts Valley Trouble Fastpitch and board...

This past weekend, 32 teams from across the Bay Area—including Santa Cruz County—competed in the annual Bytheal Ratliff’s Blast By The Bay fastpitch tournament, hosted by the Cabrillo Gals Softball League. The event took place at Anna Jean Cummins Park and Soquel High School, drawing...

From trouncing the competition to giving back to the community, Valley Fastpitch, a local 12U travel softball program, is helping young athletes find their way home. Founder and Head Coach Jeri Kievlan saw the need for a feeder team to help girls 12 and under...