11-year-old Petaluma area baseball player loves to learn
PETALUMA, Calif. — Spring is in the air and baseball season is in full swing! I got the pleasure of speaking with LJ Arieta, a charming, wise, and well-spoken 11-year-old student in the fifth grade at River Montessori Charter School in Petaluma. When asked if LJ was short for another name, he proudly informed me that he has a “long line of James’ in the family.” His dad is also a James and he is “little” James, hence the “L”.
LJ has been a baseball fan for as long as he can remember. His mom, Ashley, said that when LJ was a toddler she and her husband would take him to Cator Field, a park just across the way from their home in Cotati, to watch all of the older kids play baseball. LJ is now six years into playing for the Rohnert Park Cal Ripken League where he plays both Spring Ball and Fall Ball. They practice four days a week, have one mid-week game and a game every Saturday.
One of LJ’s most memorable moments on the field, aside from when he hit his first home run while playing on the Junior Giants team several seasons ago, was in the beginning of this past March when he got to step back up to the pitcher’s mound. LJ likes to pitch but had taken a fall while at the roller-skating rink in September of 2021, resulting in him breaking his non-dominant arm. He was grateful it wasn’t his pitching arm but he hadn’t pitched since it had happened. LJ also plays right field and second base.
LJ hopes to, one day, play in the MLB just like his second cousin, Mitch Garver, who plays for the Texas Rangers. His favorite team is the San Francisco Giants. Buster Posey was his favorite player but because he has retired, Mitch Garver has, naturally, taken his place. He reassures me that he is still a die-hard Giants fan, though.
LJ has learned to embody what sportsmanship really means. He states that “baseball has taught me to be a leader and a team player. My coaches have taught me to ‘just have fun when playing baseball’.” He says that he doesn’t mind when his team loses, “we’ll just try harder the next game. It’s really all about having fun and learning for the next time”. He leaves us with this bit of advice, inspired by his mom, “have fun, learn what you can, and do your best”! That’s really what life is all about! We look forward to learning all about how far you’re going to go, LJ. With your contagiously positive attitude, your drive, and your confidence, we know you’re going to the top!
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