When Mike Archuleta and Chris Ramoz teamed up to take over Santa Fe's Metropolitan Little League as president and vice president six years ago, their top priority was raising the profile of a league slowly suffocating from a lack of participation.

This week, the pair's work — along with a small army of volunteers that ranges from family members to former players, umpires to concession workers — is on full display as the Little League state championship tournaments for 9 and 10 year olds and 11-12 softball are played out at Metro's home, Alto Park. The 11-12 champion was crowned Sunday while the 9-10 finals could come as early as Thursday.

As he meandered between the fields housing Tuesday's games, Ramoz said the Metro Little League visitors are seeing this week is a far cry from the one that he and Archuleta inherited in 2005. Back then, the league was still fresh from a remodeling that replace the old grass fields with artificial turf.

"We had maybe 150 kids when we took over," Ramoz said, gazing out on an elimination game between Santa Rosa and Westgate. "This year there were close to 400."

Archuleta said he spent time beating the bushes looking for players. He went to a handful of schools within Metro's boundaries and reminded kids to tell their parents that the league had plenty of room to grow. When those families showed up, some found that they couldn't afford the league's registration fee. Others didn't have the basic equipment like gloves or bats.

In those instances Archuleta would always seem to scrounge up an old mitt or hand over a box of chocolate the family could then sell to raise funds for their entry fee.

"Never turned one away, not once," Archuleta said proudly. "If a family comes to my field and has a boy or girl who wants to be a part of our Little League, that child will play."

"Most leagues would quit taking kids a month before the first game," Ramoz said. "Mike's taking players right up to the opening ceremonies."

The same is essentially true of the umpires. It's Kerry Coffelt's job to find them for tournaments like this. On hand all week as the co-organizer and the New Mexico District I Umpire Coordinator, the White Rock resident said it's often the spirit of the volunteer that makes events like this so successful.

Several of his umpires are working without pay. Those who are compensated usually earn $15 per game and a coupon to the concession stand.

"It's the state of Little League baseball today," he said. "It takes a volunteer to do this. No complaints, though. It's been a great tournament. The kids have been playing their hearts out and people seem to be having a good time."

Like most folks who sit on a Little League board of directors, Archuleta and Ramoz spent time in the past coaching and supporting their own kids as they went through the league. In Archuleta's case, he is now seeing his grandchildren pass through the league.

While he runs the things behind the scenes his wife, Priscilla, spends most of her nights in Metro's concession stand, a cinderblock building sitting just beyond foul territory of the main field off Alto Street. She is usually joined by her daughter, Fran and granddaughter Gina, as well as Ramoz's wife Yolanda.

The quartet is responsible for serving the famous Metro Burger, a zesty green chile-and-cheese specialty made popular by former league president Cliff Garley. Combined with a drink, chips and candy, the inclusive Metro Special runs for $6.50 this week (but just $5 during the regular season).

"We've had people who don't have kids playing just come by here and order something to eat," said Yolanda Ramoz. "It's just another way to support the league, to support the kids."

There's talk that Metro could be on the move. Tentative plans in the new Tierra Contenta development have space for a new Little League complex within its boundaries. Such a move might irk some Metro traditionalists, but Archuleta and Ramoz know the future of their league is secure.

"I wouldn't say it has been easy, but it is going pretty good," Ramoz said.

Notes: Albuquerque's Eastdale All-Stars rallied to beat Atrisco 7-4 in Tuesday's winner's bracket final while Westgate shut out Santa Rosa 5-0 in an elimination game.

Westgate will face Atrisco tonight. The winner gets Eastdale on Thursday.