Tri-Cities Pacific Little League, Cupertino National Little League, and now Cupertino Little League have brought the joy of playing baseball to thousands of children in Cupertino. Help the League and share your pictures and memories to history@cupertinolittleleague.org or support the League financially – all donations are tax-deductible Donate to CLL
History
Cupertino Little League was founded in 2016 following the merger of Cupertino National Little League (founded in 1955) and Tri-Cities Little League (founded in 1964). CNLL served the Western part of Cupertino and TCLL served the Eastern part of our city.
Cupertino National was founded in 1955 and covered a large area but, due to the rapid population growth in the area at the time, was divided first in 1958 (to create Cupertino American LL, which never covered any part of Cupertino, though) and again in 1960 (to create Pacific Coast LL).
Tri-Cities Little League was a break away League from Sunnyvale Metro Little League and originally included some parts of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara (see boundaries map of 1973 below).
Tri-Cities played at Wilson Park, Collins Junior High School (now Lawson Middle School) and Warren Elementary School (250 Howard Ave. in Santa Clara – now closed)
Cupertino National played at Monta Vista High School, Kennedy Middle School, Faria Elementary School, Regnart Elementary School (now Tesselation) and Jollyman Elementary School (now Jollyman Park).
Phil Matthews Field
Located in Wilson Park, the Field 1, where CLL Majors teams play, is called “Phil Matthews Field”. Phil Matthews, started on the board of Tri-Cities Little League as secretary in 1975. Mr Matthews led the effort of the League to create the 3 baseball fields complex and the League named this field in his honor in 1976. Over the years, he then took over the roles of uniforms and field maintenance manager for TCLL. In 2025, Cupertino Little League replaced the old TCLL sign while keeping Phil Matthews’ name.
Brigham Young University (BYU) California Angels (1996)
Chip Hale (CNLL)
As Player Minnesota Twins (1989–1990, 1993–1996) Los Angeles Dodgers (1997) As Manager Arizona Diamondbacks (2015–2016) As Coach Arizona Diamondbacks (2007–2009) New York Mets (2010–2011) Oakland Athletics (2012–2014, 2017) Washington Nationals (2018–2020) Detroit Tigers (2021)
World Series Champion 2019
John Tillema (TCLL)
DeAnza College San Jose State Drafted by the Cleveland Indians (1980) San Jose Bees (A)
Thank you to Jim Walker and Bill Wilson (former CNLL Presidents) for sharing their documents with us.
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