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Mermaid Girls Softball League of Oxnard represented the City of Oxnard and state of California at the Pony National Slow-Pitch Tournament last week in Slidell, Louisiana. The girls captured the National Championship with an undefeated record of 6-0 in the Palomino division (18 and under), thus achieving the status as "BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONS". (The team also won in 2002, 2005 and 2007.) WHAT AN AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT FOR THESE GIRLS!!!

The girls have only a little over a month to prepare for tournament once the regular season ends. Criteria for player selection includes level of ability, skill, physical endurance and most importantly, positive attitude. Since the league is non-profit, the girls have to raise all of the money themselves for travel expenses. They do this by seeking sponsorship from the community and conducting fundraisers (e.g. car washes, league dinners, raffles, etc). This year was especially challenging due to the increase in travel expenses and overall economy. In fact, the team is still accepting donations and/or sponsorships to satisfy financial obligations.

These girls sacrifice their entire summer to be on the team, and for some, this is their first and only trip out of Ventura County.

Team players were: Jessica Lopez (Captain), Reyna Garcia (Captain), Nydia Fabian, Amber Bruno, Julie Puga, Ashley Martinez, Brenda Venegas, Alex Puga, Jenny Tinoco, Candace Mendoza, Ashley Gonzales, Clara Garcia, Anita Fuentes, Sam Tinoco and Tiffany Gonzales. Coaches: Tournament Director Tony Mendoza, League Vice President Anthony Mendez, and Sophia Saenz. Chaperones were Veronica Puga, and Mariana Mendoza.

The girls played a total of 6 games in 3 days and underwent extreme weather conditions, including high levels of humidity and unbearable heat. They played teams from Louisiana, Texas and finally Puerto Rico, to win the championship. They finished with an UNDEFEATED record! For final results and team brackets, visit pony.org

Throughout the tournament, the girls displayed excellent playing skills, strong defense and good sportsmanship & teamwork, on and off the field. In addition, Jenny Tinoco took first place in the National Homerun Competition for girls, ages 14-18 and Reyna Garcia hit the only homerun for the team during the 5th game of the tournament.

IT WAS TRULY UNFORGETTABLE!The team will be participating in the Fiestas Patrias parade in downtown Oxnard in September and will be honored by the City of Oxnard at an upcoming meeting.

The team would like to extend its appreciation to the following sponsors: Santa Barbara Iron & Metal Recyclers, Oxnard Hose, Rotary Club of Oxnard, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Camarillo), Tihomirov Chiropractic, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants Inc, League President Joe Guerra and Mermaid Board Members, the City of Oxnard and additional private sponsors.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the team can contact Mariana Mendoza 805.377.6492 or Tony Mendoza 805.236.1470 or submit donation to: Mermaid Softball P.O. Box 342 Port Hueneme , CA 93041

Mermaids have been serving the community since 1967 and maintain an annual membership of 350 girls, ages 4 through 17. The league embodies all the traits set forth by the Pony Organization and encourages positive sportsmanship and fun recreation. Registration for 2009 begins in October. For info, contact Joe Guerra 805.660.0512. Additional information can be found at www.mermaidsoftball.org

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YourNews contains stories posted by members of the public.

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