Bel
Passi Baseball began in 1953 on the abandoned Bel Passi School site,
with hardly enough players to form a single team. It remained there
until 1974 when the landowner (Sylvan School District) needed it to
build an administration complex.
Rather than give up youth baseball in
the district, the Board of the time decided another site should be
developed. Because of the land prices at $10,000 per acre and more, the
idea was almost abandoned. However, a board member, Dallas Johnston,
offered the program eight acres on Roselle Avenue at a substantially
lesser amount.
After many hours of ardent labor –
and eight board members actually cosigning on the $15,000 loan to
complete the park in time for the 1976 season– the big move was made to
our current location. The $15,000 loan taken out in 1976 was repaid in
three years. The mortgage on the property was paid off in 1986. A
“mortgage burning” party was attended by several hundred people to honor
Dallas and Annie Johnston who had donated back to the program all
interest payments over the years.
Bel Passi’s Roselle Avenue complex
has become one of the best known and admired youth ballparks in the
Central Valley, providing nearly 1,000 players annual admission to the
league. Seven age classifications are divided into twelve leagues with
three levels of competition: Competitive, Instructional/Participation
and Pony Select. Our three levels of play serve kids of all skill level, ages 3-19.
After more than half a century, the
basic Bel Passi focus remains intact: The recreation, education, and
protection of the players. There have been a few important additions to
the founders’ original ideals. In recent years, Bel Passi Baseball has
been a leader in the community’s effort to address the important issues
that face today’s youth.
The Bel Passi ballpark is alcohol, drug and
tobacco-free and dedicated to preventing youth violence. Every year the
success of the Bel Passi program depends heavily on the volunteer
efforts of the parents and family members of the players. Bel Passi’s
Executive Board is dedicated to upholding the high standards and keeping
the baseball traditions of their predecessors alive.