About CBO

Crescent Bay Optimist Sports League

In 1964, three men, Hiro Taniyama, Sus Inouye, and Jim Tanaka, decided to form a boys sports league comprised of teams from the Japanese sports organizations in the western Los Angeles area. Originally, the teams of the four organizations that currently run the CBO Sports League, played in the CYC (Central Youth Council) League. However, as the organizations grew, they decided to spin off and form their own league. The Crescent Bay Optimist club was formed specifically to provide funding and guidance for the newly formed CBO Sports League.

Teams come from the four organizations who currently run the CBO Sports League; South Bay F.O.R., San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, Venice Youth Council, and West LA Buddhist Church. Each of the four organizations provide commissioners to run the CBO Sports League, with board positions rotated among the four organizations.

As an optimist club, the Crescent Bay Optimist, conducts yearly oratorical contests, essay contests, and sponsors youth clubs at Orville Wright Middle School, Westchester High School, and Venice High School. As a sponsor of the CBO Sports League, they provide funding for the trophies and awards at the CBO Jamboree, held at end of the CBO Winter League, and the Hank Quok Scholarship to a deserving senior who has participated in the CBO Sports League for at least 5 years. 

The CBO Sports League runs two leagues, a Winter League (November – February) for teams in the Kindergarten through 12th grade, and a Prep League (March – May), for teams in the 9th – 12th grade. The Prep League includes teams from the four CBO organizations and the Evergreen, Hollywood Dodgers, Jets, Mustangs, Pasadena Bruins, Saber, and Tiger organizations.