Goal of the game: Pasco Soccer League commits to family environment

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer

PASCO -- Resembling a scene out of a small town in Mexico, hundreds of spectators sit comfortably in the grass enjoying their raspados, roasted corn or tacos as the Canarios take on Morelia.

Thousands of miles north of many of the players' hometowns, the Pasco Soccer League takes over the soccer complex off of Road 36 and Argent road each weekend.

"Rain or shine, they never want to miss a game, even if it's a holiday," said Juan Bayona, president of the Pasco Soccer League. "Sundays they go to church and then come to play. (For them) it's a must."

Referee Raul Magalln of Sunnyside worked in the alfalfa fields until 1 a.m. on a Sunday, only to play with Canarios and officiate games later in the day.

"When someone really likes soccer, they'll find any way to play," Magalln, originally from the Mexican state of Morelos, said in Spanish.

The league, since Bayona became president 18 years ago, has evolved into a joint effort of people hoping to create a fun atmosphere for players and their families.

When he first got involved as a player, Bayona said there were fights at almost every game, players went unpunished and red cards were ignored.

When he pushed for stricter rule enforcement, organizers at that time asked him, "Well why don't you run for president?" he said.

"If I get elected, this is going to be all about sports," he said, and he hasn't looked back.

He organized a rules committee to meet once a month to hear players appeal a referee's decision or rule on how many games a player is suspended if dealt a red card.

A verbal assault can lead to a year suspension or banishment from the league. A physical altercation, such as a push or a punch, leads to suspension and a call to the police -- no excuses.

"We're here to have fun," said Bayona, who hasn't seen a fight in years. "We're not here to suspend anyone or discipline anybody."

The organization's structure has since attracted players and referees alike, expanding the league from 11 teams in 1996 to 46 this year.

"The league takes care of everyone, they're great with the refs," said referee Kim Holst of Burbank.

"It's really nice and well organized, and most guys are really here to play," she said. "There's a lot of good soccer going on."

Holst has been a referee for the league for more than six years and has brought her daughters, Ashlee and Amber, out to watch.

When Ashlee, now 19, turned 16 she became a certified referee and sometimes joins her mom on the field. Next year Amber is hoping to do the same.

"It's not unusual to see that here," Bayona said. "It's a family affair."

And the relationships don't stop on the playing field.

Guisel Mancilla of Pasco makes raspados and snow cones and offers other bocaditos or bite-sized snacks like chicharrones (pork rinds) and fresas con crema (strawberries with cream) for the fans.

She would come to watch her husband, Angel, play with the team Brazil before deciding five years ago to get a business permit and sell to the spectators.

Mancilla said it's a nice feeling to have her family near her during the weekend, as she and Angel commute a half-hour each way to work at Broetje Orchards in Prescott.

"The kids are in day care Monday through Friday," she said.

Though Angel doesn't play anymore, he helps her with the kids and the stand. "Here we're all together."

Her classic antojitos or junk food snacks -- along with the atmosphere and the play on the field -- make anyone feel at home, no matter where they're from.

The coach for the team La Corua, Yeric Hernandez of Benton City started playing in 2001 with team Italia before becoming a coach two years ago.

Originally from the state of Oaxaca, Hernandez said the Pasco Soccer League offers more than the opportunity to play, it's a home away from home.

"I love it out here," he said in Spanish. "We practice two hours twice a week before our Sunday games."

On any given Sunday, eight teams -- averaging 15 players each -- take the field every two hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. New or less-skilled teams play Saturdays in the second division.

"Every weekend I see them play like they're going for the World Cup," said Bayona, who works year-round to keep the league organized and running smooth.

"But here all we need are matching shirts with a number on it and shin guards. How simple can that be?"

* Dalina Castellanos: 509-582-1542; dcastellanos@tricityherald.com

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Sunday, Aug. 02, 2009

Goal of the game: Pasco Soccer League commits to family environment

By Dalina Castellanos, Herald staff writer