by Kevin Cody
The Manhattan Beach Little League celebrated opening day on Saturday, February 21, by bringing back its traditional parade through the downtown. The MBLL parade dates back to 1960 when City Treasurer Tim Lilligren remembers lining up with his team, the Breaker’s Restaurant Beavers, in front of the downtown lumber yard, where Vons stands today.
The Mira Costa Marching Band and Color Guard led this year’s parade, followed by city dignitaries riding in classic cars.
Lilligren rode in the back seat of the first car, a 1967, midnight blue Pontiac GTO convertible owned and driven by Henri Couderc
A man in a Chargers baseball hat, whom Lilligren assumed was friends with the GTO’s owner, rode in the passenger seat. The man asked Lilligren who his favorite football team was. Lilligren said the Rams, an uncharacteristic slip for the multi term politician, which he would quickly regret.
Manhattan Beach Little League Allstars help the opening day parade.
After the parade arrived at the American Martyrs School baseball field, and the 23 teams were seated on the infield grass, MBLL co-presidents Craig Snyder and Lee Bauman thanked the league’s volunteers and sponsors,
Snyder said bringing back the parade was an important step in restoring MBLL’s pre pandemic reputation as one of the largest, most talent-loaded Little Leagues in the country. The pandemic caused suspension of the parade seven years ago.
The keynote speaker parade organizer Jeff Biggs chose for opening day also signaled renewed expectations for the league.
Keynote speaker Charger Coach Jim Harbaugh.
Lilligren recognized him as the man in the Chargers baseball cap.
Biggs introduced him as a Manhattan Beach Little League parent, an NFL quarterback for 14-seasons, and, since moving to Manhattan Beach two years ago, the Los Angeles Chargers head coach. Jim Harbaugh is known for his inspirational style of leadership transforming struggling programs, like San Diego State, Stanford and the Chargers, into championship contenders.
The Manhattan Beach Little League Dodgers parade down Manhattan Beach Boulevard.
Harbaugh began his talk by challenging the Little Leaguers “to play with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”
“Enthusiasm Unknown to Mankind,” is the title of a book by Harbaugh, and underscores his approach to sports.
“Just give it your best, and you’ll feel good about what you’ve accomplished…. Winning isn’t everything. I can think of 10 things more important. At the top of that list is having fun and making friends,” he said.
The Mira Costa Marching Band and Color Guard.
In a shout out to the Mira Costa Marching Band and Color Guard, Harbaugh recalled what he told players he coached at Stanford and San Diego. “Nobody works harder than the band. They practice late at night, after the players leave the field, and they practice on their own. Make them your example. Practice today and you’ll be better than you were yesterday, and better tomorrow than you are today,” he said.
Returning to the importance of enthusiasm, he said, “Do you want a tip on how to be enthusiastic. Act enthusiastic.” He clenched his fists, crouched like a shortstop waiting to field a ground ball, and shouted as loud as he could, “Oh boy! Am I enthusiastic!”
Then he thanked parents and civic leaders by noting, “There are no better fields in all of American than right here in Manhattan Beach.”
Harbaugh ended his talk with the “call and response” he uses in the Chargers locker room to motivate his players .
“Whose got it better than us,” he screamed.
“Nobody,” the young Little Leaguers screamed back.
For more information about the Manhattan Beach Little League, visit MBLittleLeague.com. ER
Current Manhattan Beach City Treasurer Tim Lilligren (front row, far right) with his Manhattan Beach Little League Breakers’s Restaurant Beavers in 1960. The team banner was made by Merrilee Gray, the then 12 year-old daughter of coach Milton Gray (at left of banner). Photo courtesy of the Lilligren family