All posts by Victor Peinado

Berkeley Albany Little League – 2026 Key Dates Ahead

As the season continues, here are some important upcoming dates for our Berkeley Albany Little League (BALL) community:

April 5 – Easter Sunday (No Games)

April 8–12 – Majors Sandlot Baseball (Players Coach!)

April 11-12: Triple A hosting 2 interleague games

April 18-19: Intermediate hosting 3 interleague games

April 25–26 – Majors Coach Switch Weekend

May 3 – Picture Day (Time to smile!)

May 8–10 – Majors Mother’s Day Weekend (Moms Coach!)

May – BALL Tournament Playoffs begin

These special events are what make our season memorable — from fun, player-led games to celebrating our amazing families.

Be sure to mark your calendars and stay connected for more updates!

Play Ball. Grow Together. Make Memories.

Happy Easter Weekend from Berkeley Albany Little League

From all of us at Berkeley Albany Little League (BALL), we wish our players, coaches, volunteers, and families a joyful and relaxing Easter weekend.

This season is about more than just baseball — it’s about community, growth, and creating lasting memories together. As we take a moment to celebrate, we’re grateful for the energy, dedication, and spirit each of you brings to the league.

May your weekend be filled with joy, hope, and new beginnings.

We can’t wait to see everyone back on the field soon!

Play Ball. Grow Together. Make Memories.

Where Are They Now: BALL Alumna Leah Freeman Makes Professional Soccer Debut

Berkeley Albany Little League is proud to celebrate one of our own.

Leah Freeman, a BALL alumna who once took the field during our 2010 Parade Day, has officially made her professional soccer debut, marking an incredible milestone in her athletic journey.

Leah’s path is a powerful example of dedication and perseverance:

  • Started right here at BALL
  • Developed through youth and high school athletics
  • Competed at the Division I level at Oregon and Duke
  • Now competing professionally as a goalkeeper

After patiently earning her opportunity, Leah is already making a strong impact at the professional level:

  • Appeared in multiple professional matches
  • Off to an impressive 4–0 start
  • Recorded 2 shutouts
  • Continues to step up in every appearance

Leah’s journey is also deeply rooted in the BALL community. Her father, Coach and former Board Member Dale Freeman, has contributed years of leadership, mentorship, and support to our league — helping shape not just players, but people.

From Parade Day memories to the professional stage, Leah’s story reminds us what Little League is all about:

Building confidence, character, and a lifelong love of sports.

We are incredibly proud to call Leah a BALL alumna and can’t wait to see what’s next.

Congratulations to Leah and the entire Freeman family!

Honoring Imaayu Akili Hancock

Berkeley Albany Little League would like to take a moment to honor the life and legacy of Imaayu Akili Hancock, a former coach and valued member of our community.

Imaayu coached in both the Juniors and Seniors divisions in the mid-2000s, dedicating his time to supporting and developing young players. He wasn’t just a coach—he was a mentor, a steady presence, and someone who truly connected with the kids he worked with.

Some of our current board members still remember Imaayu coaching their sons on the diamond. He brought patience, encouragement, and a genuine love for the game and for the players.

He was, simply put, a true kids’ coach.

His impact lives on through the players he mentored, the families he supported, and the community he helped shape.

We are grateful for his contributions to Berkeley Albany Little League and extend our thoughts to his family and loved ones.

💚 Play BALL, Imaayu.

Great Weekend at BALL

What a great weekend of Berkeley Albany Little League baseball!

From games on the field to families in the stands, it was a weekend full of fun in the sun, teamwork, and community.

And don’t forget — the Snack Bar is OPEN! 🍔🌭
Stop by to grab a bite, cool off, see your teams schedule and support the league while enjoying the games.

More baseball, more smiles, and more great moments ahead.

⚾ Play BALL!

BALL is buzzing in March!!

The fields are packed, the Snack Shack is hopping, and the action is everywhere across Berkeley Albany Little League!

🔥 Tigers vs A’s on Krone Field

🔥 Braves vs Marlins on Victory Field

🔥 Iron Pigs vs LugNutz on East Field

Families cheering. Players competing. Community showing up.

This is what Little League is all about — a full day of baseball, energy, and smiles all around.

Let’s keep it going! Play BALL!

The Season is Rolling!

What a way to kick things off this past Saturday at our Opening Day Parade! The energy, the smiles, the community — it was everything Berkeley Albany Little League is all about.

Now we’re right back at it.

Teams are practicing, players are sharpening their skills, and the fields are alive with baseball again. Every throw, every swing, every cheer — it all builds the season ahead.

This is what BALL is all about:

Community. Growth. Fun. Baseball.

We’re just getting started.

Play BALL!

Opening Day Parade is Today!

Today is the day! Berkeley Albany Little League kicks off the season with our Opening Day Parade this morning.

Players and coaches should arrive by 8:30 AM at the grassy median at Key Route & Solano Avenue, and the parade will begin promptly at 9:00 AM as teams march down Solano Avenue to Krone Field at University Village for Opening Ceremonies.

Families, friends, and community members are encouraged to line Solano Avenue and cheer on our teams as they parade to the fields to start the season.

This year’s celebration will also include the UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and the University of California Marching Band to help make the morning even more special with the National Anthem.

After the ceremonies, Opening Day games will begin, and later in the afternoon there will be Sno Cones available at UC Village to help support the league.

It’s one of the most special traditions of the season and a celebration of our entire BALL community, make sure to come visit the Snack BAR!!!

We’ll see everyone out there this morning!

Play BALL!

Opening Day Parade is This Weekend!

The countdown is on! Berkeley Albany Little League’s Opening Day Parade is happening this Saturday, March 14, and we can’t wait to kick off another great season together.

All players and coaches should arrive by 8:30 AM at the grassy median at Key Route & Solano Avenue. The parade begins promptly at 9:00 AM as teams march down Solano Avenue toward Krone Field at University Village for Opening Ceremonies.

Families and community members are encouraged to line Solano Avenue and cheer on our teams as they parade down to the field.

We are thrilled to welcome UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and the University of California Marching Band to help make the morning even more special with the National Anthem

After the Opening Ceremonies, games will begin, and later in the afternoon, there will be a Sno Cone booth at UC Village to help support the league.

Opening Day is one of the most special traditions of the season and brings our entire BALL community together.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Play BALL! ⚾