In 2006, the South Bay Dukes were born from the vision of Grandpa Ned Morioka and Coach Joe Martinez about what a ballplayer should be. This vision encompassed the fundamentals of baseball but also focused on certain aspects of the game that engendered the development of character as well as skills: attitude, work ethic, integrity, accountability, and drive. The team began as a handpicked group of eight year-olds who wanted to play more baseball in lieu of an all-star program. Through the subsequent years as the Dukes’ reputation grew, the team’s footprint expanded from the local enclave to the surrounding cities with players hailing from Torrance, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Lakewood, Rolling Hills Estates, and Palos Verdes Estates.
The South Bay Dukes have made steady competitive progress since its inception as upstart eight year-olds. In 2008, the Dukes were champions of the USTBA Veteran Rings Tournament and were runner-ups at the USTBA Grand Slam Tournament and USTBA Holiday Classic. In 2009, the Dukes raised its game another level and were crowned champions of the USTBA Ring in the New Season Tournament, USSSA Easter Classic, and USSSA Thanksgiving Classic, while placing second in the USSSA Long Beach Open and the USSSA Holiday Classic. These accomplishments led to a #1 USSSA-Southern California Power Rating Ranking for 12U-AAA teams. Success continued in 2010 as the team graduated to the Major level. The Dukes were champions of the Wood Bat Classic Tournament, Korean International Invitational Tournament, Triple Crown Back to School Tournament, AAU Season Opener Tournament, and the USSSA Cranberry Classic. The Dukes participated in the Cooperstown Dreams Park Tournament of Champions, and rode a #3 overall seed out of 104 teams into the quarterfinals before losing its only game of the tournament to the eventual champion.
While the team has been blessed with success through the years, the South Bay Dukes family is most proud of how its boys have developed into respectful young men who strive to excel in all aspects of their lives.
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Joe Martinez, Manager
Coach Joe has been with the Dukes since the summer of 2006. He began coaching in Gardena when he was 16 years old. Since there were no parents to coach, he thought that this would be a good way to give back to the community where someone taught him to play and enjoy the game. His players have taught him that baseball and sports are just games.
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Steve Santiago, Coach
Coach Steve joined the Dukes' staff in 2008. His passion for "the game" first began as a player and has since been fueled by his two sons' participation in baseball. He has been involved in coaching for over 10 years, and continues to learn through interaction with players and his fellow coaches. His greatest desire for players is to have fun, but at the same time always work hard to improve and learn the game of baseball.
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Ned Morioka, Coach
(aka Grandpa)
Grandpa Ned has been with the Dukes since the beginning (2006). He began coaching 40 years ago for the LOVE of the game. By working with ballplayers over the years, he has learned patience and motivation. Grandpa feels that he has become a better coach from working with Coaches Craig, Mason, and Joe, learning new techniques for teaching basic and advanced baseball skills. Over the many years of coaching, his greatest accomplishment has been to teach the fundamentals of baseball and having the support of the parents. |
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Phil Mullan, Coach
Coach Phil is currently a player at Cornell University. He began coaching with the Dukes as a volunteer with Mason. His passion for the game runs as deep as the ocean. As a player, he is one of the hardest working people. As a coach, his philosophy is the boys should never give up on a dream. His work ethic has gotten him to the point he is at today. He has been friends with Coach Mason since Little League, where they played on All-Star teams for years. Phil was brought up amongst the same people as Mason and shares similar work habits and philosophies. His knowledge of the game, his versatility as a player, and his good listening skills have carried him through his career. His words of wisdom to the boys, "Enjoy the game, play hard, never back down. They may be bigger, faster, and stronger, but we will never be intimidated by ANYONE!" Take care of school first, enjoy time with your family, and play the game how it's supposed to be played.
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David Guerreva, Coach
Coach David began coaching in 2003 because he wanted to help kids learn the game of baseball and be a part of his son's favorite childhood memories. He has been with the Dukes since 2006. Being a part of the players' baseball experience has been one of the most fulfilling things that he has ever done. He believes that every kid is unique and requires a unique approach when coaching.
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Andy Smith, Coach
Coach Andy has been involved in coaching for over 20 years and has been involved in coaching youth baseball since 2003. He joined the Dukes staff in 2008. The players that he has coached over the years have enjoyed playing and learning the game of baseball and have always come back to play again. He has learned from players and other coaches over the years that baseball is a game, hit the ball, throw the ball, catch the ball and help the players learn the game of baseball. Hopefully, along the way, everyone learns a few things about themselves.
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Mason Morioka, Coach
A current player at the University of San Francisco, who has a passion for the game of baseball, Mason started coaching the Dukes in 2006 as a volunteer. He carries collegiate knowledge and information that comes from one of the best Division I University coaches and passes it down to the next generation of ballplayers so that they have the opportunity to be better than he was. (But many of them are anyways!) To him, baseball isn't just a game, its life. It's the get-away from all other things that clutter the mind and daily distractions. But his words of wisdom are, "School always comes first, then family, then baseball." Take care of the things in the classroom boys, tend to your family needs, and play the game that we all love. Always "ears" and learn as much as you can.
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Dan Ruedas, Manager
Dan has been coaching youth baseball for over 25 years. He shares his knowledge and passion of the game with the players. Treats every player as an individual and he strives to bring out the best in every player. He believes that the players have more fun by increasing their knowledge of and ability for the game.
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Chris Costley, Coach
Chris has been coaching youth baseball and softball in the Manhattan Beach Little League Program for the last 7 years. Chris played collegiately as a middle infielder for Saint Mary’s College and Pepperdine University. An avid “sports nut,” Chris enjoys handing down his passion and knowledge for the game learned from his experiences and past coaches. He strives to bring out the best in each player promoting self-confidence and hard work. |
