Pacoima field renamed after the first all-Black team to play in the Bronco World Series in 1965

In 1965, the North Valley Broncos, based out of Pacoima, made history by becoming the first all-Black team from Southern California to make the Bronco World Series, a yearly little league baseball tournament for players aged 11-12.

Fast forward 58 years and now, the team has a field named after them. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez held an event on Thursday to officially rename the fields at the intersection of Dronfield Ave. and Osborne St. as the North Valley Broncos Square.

“Today we’re celebrating this incredible history because it was this team that, not only as a result of the fortitude and insight of their parents to create an environment allowed them to play ball, but this was the team that took it all the way to the World Series,” Rodriguez said.

The North Valley Broncos advanced to the finals in New Bedford, Massachusetts after beating the local team in Glendora at the time in the regional competition. In the finals, the North Valley Broncos lost versus a team from Wahouma, Alabama.

Although the team did not win the Bronco World Series, their legacy still lives on. One player on the team also has USC ties. Anthony Davis, who was a USC running back from 1973 to 1975, is best known for scoring 11 touchdowns in three games against Notre Dame. And Davis played for the Broncos when they made the World Series.

“If I don’t have this park, I don’t go on to be drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, go to USC and play on three national title teams,” Davis said. “I started right here. There’s a lot of kids that started their careers here, right across the street there.”

In addition to playing for the football team, Davis also played for the USC baseball team, winning three baseball championships on top of his two football national championships. Despite all of the accolades Davis received at USC, he says this one holds a special place in his heart.

“I’ve got a lot of awards in my life as an athlete, but this one I’m going to really cherish because this is where everything started for me,” Davis said.

During the 1950s and 1960s, little league baseball was still segregated in Pacoima until 1963, when a non-segregated league was created. Despite the Civil Rights Act that was passed in 1964, one year prior to the Bronco World Series, the players on the North Valley Broncos team still endured the segregation laws of the time.

Despite racism and segregation, Davis says he and his teammates still found a way to succeed. “We went and forged our way and became established for Pacoima, California,” Davis said.

The North Valley Broncos originated after fathers of the players came together to lease out the field that is now named after the historic team. This came after their sons were denied access from practicing at baseball fields because of the color of their skin.

As Davis spoke to the crowd he took a moment to say just how much the field renaming means to him.

“You see this field behind us. I think the county leased it for like a couple of dollars for the year. And that’s when we all gathered and started honing our skills,” Davis said. “I started right here.”