With the San Diego Padres’ spring training and Mission Bay Boys’ Little League beginning this month, the Mission Bay Girls’ Softball League (MBGSL) got an early jump when it opened the 2012 season at McEvoy Field east of Mission Bay High School on Feb. 18. The opening slate consisted of three games: the 6-and-under (6U) Pink Lightenings’ faced the 6U from Clairemont in the early game; then the Bumblebees squared off against the Peninsula girls; and finally the 14-and-under (14U) matched up with the Peninsula’s 14U team. Mission Bay High School alum and professional actor John Polhamus — a Pacific Beach native — belted out the National Anthem before the Bumblebees/Peninsula game. “We don’t have as many players as we would like because there aren’t as many kids in Pacific Beach as before,” said Tom Paull, manager of the Bumblebees. “Little League is not as popular as it was when I was growing up, with all the other sports kids can play and with the economy right now, but we’re hoping to build it back up and create a farm team for the Mission Bay High Buccaneers.” Paull, who is also a Pacific Beach native, pitched for the Buccaneers in 1980 when the Bucs advanced to their first CIF finals appearance under head coach Dennis Pugh. The 1980 team lost to USDHS in 13 innings. Paull was also a member of the Mission Bay Pony League All Stars’ in 1976 and batted 2-for-3 against future New York Yankee and San Diego Padre David Wells when Wells grew up in Point Loma and played for the Peninsula Pony League All Stars. Paull said many of the players on the 1976 All-Star Team faced each other in the 1980 CIF Championship game between Mission Bay and USDHS. Paull now coaches his daughter, Syndey, as a member of the Bumblebees. “It’s great to be back on that field,” Paull said. McEvoy Field has been given a facelift with the addition of a new scoreboard, which debuted on Opening Day. The MBGSL has four age divisions: T-Ball (6U), Rookie (8U), Junior (10U) and Senior (12U/14U). The league plays from February until early May and faces teams from Clairemont, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Point Loma and University City. The Mission Bay Girls’ Softball League is still taking registrations and looking for volunteer coaches and managers. For more information, visit www.mbgsl.org.