Santa Fe Springs city officials have taken the unusual step of revoking the Metropolitan Little League's access to its fields, ending a 65-year partnership and forcing teams to play several miles away in Downey. The city accused the league of subleasing fields to another nonprofit, which officials stated violated its contract.
Assistant City Manager Nicholas Razo said in a phone interview that the city had previously raised concerns with the league about subletting and acted after learning the practice was continuing. “We understand how important youth baseball is for our community,” Razo said, adding that the action was about ensuring all organizations using city facilities followed rules and expectations. He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved after the league's board elections.
Odalys Valladares, president of the Little League, denied the subleasing allegation, stating the league abides by its contract but that the city has not been fair. Valladares accused city leaders of targeting the league because she is running for City Council. Razo denied the accusation, saying, “This is definitely not politically driven.”
The dispute centers on the Little League's relationship with the Metro Baseball Academy, a separate nonprofit that conducts training programs for league players who pay to participate. City officials stated they began investigating after receiving complaints about field usage. The city learned the Little League created the academy to run clinics, allowing it to use fields year-round.
Razo raised questions about whether the academy was bringing in more children from outside the area than permitted and using the fields at the lower rates provided to the Little League as a nonprofit. Under its agreement, at least 60% of Metro Little League’s players must live in Santa Fe Springs. Razo said the city grew suspicious when a message surfaced, allegedly from academy officials, directing parents to register children under the Little League for the fall season after the registration deadline.
Valladares, however, argued the city's concerns contradicted past actions. She stated that the league's clinics had been operated by other organizations with city approval in the past, and they formed the academy about three months ago after the city’s Parks and Recreation director suggested it. She added that the league, like many others, often allows children to sign up after the deadline if space is available. Valladares said the league operates within a boundary that includes parts of Whittier, South Whittier, Pico Rivera, and Norwalk, and maintained most players live in Santa Fe Springs. She also asserted that the Little League and academy operated independently from the start.
Andrew Hernandez, president of the Metro Baseball Academy, supported these points in an email response. He stated the academy primarily served local children and provided affordable baseball training. Hernandez emphasized the academy’s transparency and cooperation, citing that it requested field use, received permits, paid associated fees, and communicated with city staff. He included email exchanges and invoices from July demonstrating the academy had paid for field use and also submitted a letter pleading for a fee waiver due to financial hardship.
To address city concerns, Valladares said she and other league members resigned from the academy's board. She maintained that problems only arose after she announced her City Council candidacy. Further intensifying the situation, Aden Medina, 20, a parks and recreation supervisor, said he was fired this month after the city learned he was coaching for the Little League. The city confirmed Medina’s employment but declined to comment on the circumstances of his separation.
On a recent Sunday, Valladares said parents informed her that Santa Fe Springs Mayor Pro Tem Annette Rodriguez, who is seeking re-election and whose grandson plays in the league, spoke to parents after a game. Parents said Rodriguez placed blame on Valladares and urged them to vote out the league's board. A witness recounted this meeting, and a video showing Rodriguez speaking with parents at a baseball field was obtained.
Last Wednesday, the city sent letters to both the Metro Little League and the academy, informing them their access to the athletic fields was revoked. Ron Hernandez, coach and vice president of Metro Little League, said the city locked dugouts and installed metal fencing to block access to the fields. Signs reading “Metro Little League Permits Revoked” were placed at the home plate of each of the three baseball fields.
Valladares aired her complaint on social media, expressing, “They’re coming after one of the things that’s dear to my heart, which are the kids and this program that I’ve been working on for the past two years.” She added, “I really wish they would solely come after me and leave the kids alone.” The accusations prompted incumbents, including Rodriguez, to release a video on the city’s Instagram account, reiterating the city’s stance.
At a news conference in a Norwalk hotel, Ron Hernandez, Valladares, and attorney Angela Robinson, whose son plays in the league, spoke out against the city’s actions. Behind them, dozens of children and parents held signs urging the city to let them return to the fields, including one that read: “Dear city, Santa Fe Springs, please let me play.” Parents expressed being disheartened and upset about the impact on the children.
Despite the controversy, games scheduled for Sunday proceeded at a field in Downey. Families in the stands celebrated each hit, with one man repeatedly yelling, “Good job, kid!” Samuel Chavez, 50, expressed gratitude that the children were able to play, even if not on their usual field. Chavez called the situation unfortunate and hoped for a resolution.
