Ladera Little League

9u Rising Stars ⚾️⚾️⚾️

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: JOSHUA VELASQUEZ

Every great team needs a leader behind the plate, and for the Ladera White Sox Majors team, that leader was Joshua Velasquez.

Joshua caught every single inning of all nine playoff games during our postseason run, a remarkable accomplishment that speaks to his toughness, endurance, and commitment to the team. Throughout the season, he logged over 100 innings behind the plate, taking on one of the most physically demanding positions in baseball while serving as the heartbeat of our defense.

What makes Joshua's season even more impressive is the level of responsibility he carried. He worked with all five pitchers on our roster, handling arms that ranged from 50 to 70 miles per hour. He wasn't just receiving pitches. He was calling games, managing situations, building confidence in his pitchers, and helping guide the team through some of the biggest moments of the season. His understanding of the game and ability to lead from behind the plate gave our coaching staff confidence every time he put on the gear.

Joshua consistently did the little things that often go unnoticed. He blocked balls in the dirt, prevented runners from advancing, controlled the pace of the game, and recorded six runners caught stealing throughout the season. Even after taking foul balls and battling through the physical wear and tear that comes with catching, he continued to show up every inning and every game ready to compete.

The catcher is often referred to as the quarterback of the defense, and Joshua embraced that role from Opening Day through the final out of the playoffs. His leadership, toughness, baseball IQ, and selfless dedication to the team were invaluable to our success.

Quite simply, the White Sox could not have accomplished what they did this season without Joshua Velasquez. His impact went far beyond statistics. He was the foundation of our defense, a trusted teammate, and a true leader behind the plate. We are incredibly proud of the season he put together and grateful for everything he gave to this team.

And that concludes 2026 Spring Season
Congratulations to our Home Run Hitters
Long Ball = No Cortisol

⚾️🏆 LEGACY PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🏆⚾️
Today we celebrate Theo Gabriel, a true Ladera Little League Legacy Player! ❤️💛
From their first days in T-Ball to competing in the Majors Division, Theo Gabriel has grown through every stage of the Ladera journey. Along the way they've built friendships, learned life lessons, represented their teams with pride, and created memories that will last forever.
Thank you for being part of the Ladera family and leaving your mark on our league. Once a Ladera player, always a Ladera player. ❤️⚾
👏 Congratulations, Theo Gabriel! Your legacy is forever part of Ladera Little League.

⚾️🏆 LEGACY PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🏆⚾️
Today we celebrate Benjamin Gabriel, a true Ladera Little League Legacy Player! ❤️💛
From their first days in T-Ball to competing in the Majors Division, Benjamin Gabriel has grown through every stage of the Ladera journey. Along the way they've built friendships, learned life lessons, represented their teams with pride, and created memories that will last forever.
Thank you for being part of the Ladera family and leaving your mark on our league. Once a Ladera player, always a Ladera player. ❤️⚾
👏 Congratulations, Benjamin Gabriel! Your legacy is forever part of Ladera Little League.

⚾️🏆 LEGACY PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🏆⚾️
Today we celebrate Samuel Norwood, a true Ladera Little League Legacy Player! ❤️💛
From their first days in T-Ball to competing in the Majors Division, Samuel Norwood has grown through every stage of the Ladera journey. Along the way they've built friendships, learned life lessons, represented their teams with pride, and created memories that will last forever.
Thank you for being part of the Ladera family and leaving your mark on our league. Once a Ladera player, always a Ladera player. ❤️⚾
👏 Congratulations, Samuel Norwood! Your legacy is forever part of Ladera Little League.