By George P. Hassett

The number of children participating in Somerville Little League baseball has been steadily declining for years but new President Joe Janiero said he has an idea to reverse that trend.

“We have an opportunity here in Somerville to tap into the Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities to get more kids playing baseball,” he said. “Baseball is huge in Latin American countries. Getting those kids involved, I think, is a way to turn around urban leagues like ours.”

Janiero, who came to Somerville from the Azores at the age of 4, said Somerville Little League has printed fliers in Spanish and French to try and get more kids playing next year.

Last year 500 boys and girls ages 5 through 16 played Little League baseball, he said.

Those kids are coached by volunteers who know the game but who are also eager to teach life skills through what happens on the field, he said.

“We want a winning attitude but we also want what is best for all of our kids and for them to come away from the league learning about more than just the game,” he said.

Janiero, an accountant by day, said he took the gig as Little League president because he saw an opportunity to improve the program and bring new ideas in. Now it has become a full-time job and passion for him, he said.

“We’ve brought in technology and more of a business perspective as a way to expand our base of sponsors and offer the kids more,” he said.

The league has a new Web site and produces a monthly newsletter for parents and players. Janiero said he hopes the league will continue to expand and grow throughout his presidency.

“You’re going to be hearing a lot of good things about Somerville Little League in the next few years,” he said