Sierra Madre Little League Opened Biggest Season With 400 Players Headed to Face Pasadena, Altadena Rivals

More than 400 young baseball players paraded down Sierra Madre Boulevard on Saturday morning, riding decorated vehicles from Taylor’s Ol’ Fashioned Market to Heasley Field to open what the league says is its largest spring season ever.

Sierra Madre Little League launched its 2026 season on February 28 with its annual opening day festivities — a parade led by the city’s fire and police departments and four city council members, followed by ceremonies, games, treats, and music at Heasley Field. Throughout the spring, Sierra Madre’s teams will travel beyond city limits to compete against Pasadena, Altadena, Arcadia, and Santa Anita Little League programs, according to the league’s schedule.

The parade began shortly after 7 a.m. at the parking lot of Taylor’s Ol’ Fashioned Market on Sierra Madre Boulevard, where each team decorated a vehicle in its team colors. Sierra Chevrolet of Monrovia provided additional vehicles for several teams, according to a league press release. Players, coaches, and families rode together to Heasley Field at Sierra Vista Park, where opening ceremonies awaited.

Mayor Pro Tem Gene Goss joined Council Members Edward Garcia, Kelly Kriebs, and Robert Parkhurst in leading the procession. The Sierra Madre Fire Department and Police Department also led the parade, a tradition that stretches back more than a decade.

The league enrolled more than 400 athletes this season, the most in its history, according to a press release from the league. Players range from first-timers in T-ball to the Juniors division for 13- and 14-year-olds. The league is open to any student who lives in or attends school in Sierra Madre.

“Opening day is the greatest day of the year!” Cory Marquez, the league’s president, said in the press release. “It represents the unique and special place that Sierra Madre is, and the community that makes it so great! It’s a day where we are reminded that each of our players gets to represent not only the names that are on the back of their jerseys, but the name that’s on the front of their jersey as well, the reminder that together we are all Madre.”

Conrad, an AAA-division player, said the day was a highlight for the team. “I love opening day!” he said in the press release. “All of us get so pumped up for the parade, and the neighbors come out to wave and cheer us on as we drive by! The players are really proud to represent Sierra Madre and play some awesome baseball!”

Games run every Saturday at Heasley Field, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the season. Lisa’s Diner is open on game days at the field, serving food including chili fries, a new addition this year, according to the press release. Those interested in sponsoring the league can email smadrelleagueinfo@gmail.com. More information is available at www.smll.org.

The league’s schedule already shows Sierra Madre teams matched up against Pasadena Area Little League and Altadena Area Little League opponents, with games underway this week at fields across both cities.