Mission Viejo was one of America’s first planned communities. Conceived by Donald Bren, our community was the young developer’s first major undertaking. The year was 1966, when the first 100 families moved into the new Deane Homes tract at the corner of La Paz and Mosquero. Orange County’s newest community, Mission Viejo, began an unprecidented era of growth with families camping out for several nights for a chance to bid for a home. Many came looking for a great place to raise their children (and they found it). A few of these "pioneer" children played in the Saddleback Little League, which was established in 1957. The following spring (1967 season) Mission Viejo still didn’t have a Little League. But that was soon to change. Spring 1968, with population approaching 5,000, would see the creation of the Mission Viejo Little League.

Spring 1968. A three-week organizing drive founded Mission Viejo Little League. Playing fields were located on the playground of O’Neill Elementary, the first school built in the City of Mission Viejo. Tony Moiso, grandson of the school’s namesake Marguerite O’Neill, presided over opening day ceremonies (pictured below). In 1968 our league had a total of nine teams (4 major and 5 minor league). League families resided in either the Deane Homes tract (first neighborhood - 1966), La Paz Homes (Mission Viejo Company's first development), Monterey Masters, Mission Ridge, or El Dorado Homes. Below is a picture of the Opening Day parade, April 27, 1968, in route from La Paz Plaza to Mission Viejo High School where each player, coach, sponsor, and official was individually announced.

The Cubs, managed by Frank Cleworth, were the Major division champs, while Claude Hendrix's Pirates took the Minor division championship. No records are available on the League's Board of Directors. However, we do know that Jack Harris was our League's first President (thanks to information provided by Bill Beebe - longtime Little League volunteer and the namesake of Beebe Park).