Baseball:
It’s moments like this that truly put sports into its proper perspective.
On one hand, athletics of all varieties are irrelevant when compared to the importance of our individual health, safety and the well-being of each and every family.
On the flip side, competing as a student-athlete can serve young people well in so many different ways.
It teaches boys and girls discipline, work ethic, how to be part of a team, how to deal with adversity, and in many cases, sports can serve as a much-needed distraction when dealing with heartbreaking and life-changing moments.
And no one has needed that distraction quite like the Los Osos High School baseball program.
Nearly two weeks ago, the Grizzlies lost one of their baseball family members and his little sister.
Elias Cruz, a 17-year-old member of the LOHS baseball program lost control of his car and crashed into a pole and then a tree near Wilson and Haven Avenue in Rancho Cucamonga.
His 14-year-old sister, Sarah, also perished, and it brought the Cruz family and the Rancho Cucamonga community to its collective knees.
Sarah Cruz was part of the Grizzlies volleyball and softball programs.
Thankfully, the third passenger in the car survived this horrific ordeal.
LOHS baseball coach Travis Kelly said the program is nothing short of devastated, and they continue to struggle while processing the fact that one of their teammates and his sister were taken seven to eight decades early.
According to several reports, Elias and his sister were very close as you’ll see in a couple of photos inside this story.
Kelly said that Elias and Sarah were wonderful people, and that they came from a loving and remarkable family.
In spite of being in a state of shock and heartbreak, Elias and Sarah’s father, Rey Cruz, offered a message to area parents.
Cruz told CBS LA: “Tell your loved ones that you love them every day. Don’t assume anything. Don’t assume tomorrow is going to happen. Tomorrow might not happen for you.”
It sounds cliche, but the baseball program knows that Elias and his family would want and expect them to move forward and chase after a Baseline League pennant.
Coach Kelly, his staff and their players will do their best to oblige.
The Grizzlies (8-4) open the Baseline League portion of their schedule today (Friday) at 3:15.
LOHS will host Rancho Cucamonga in the first of a three-game set.
It goes without saying that the SGV and IE send their love and hugs to the Cruz family and Los Osos High School.
Baseline League Standings:
Damien (6-5, 2-0)
Upland (10-2, 0-0)
Los Osos (8-4, 0-0)
RCHS (9-5, 2-1)
Etiwanda (3-8, 1-2)
Chino Hills (8-4-1, 0-2)
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