|
|
Update from Little League RE:Bat Specs
 
March 18, 2009
It has been brought to the attention of Little League officials that there are a few bats for sale in stores or that may have already been purchased that carry the Little League approval, but do not have the required bat performance standard markings. The Little League Rulebook states that beginning January 1, 2009, all non-wood bats used for play in Little League Baseball (majors and below) shall be printed with a bat performance factor (BPF) of 1.15 or less. While the bats we have identified pass the BPF standard and other standards of proportion and measurement, they do not have the proper label. These bats are in the marketplace for a variety of circumstances. After review by Little League officials, it has been determined that these bats may remain in the marketplace and shall be allowed for play during the 2009 season only, with the understanding that these bats shall not be allowed for play after December 31, 2009, even though some improperly labeled bats may still remain in the marketplace, or retained by leagues and players after the 2010 deadline. Also, check the model you are purchasing. If these bats, like the Vanquish, are replaced with corrected labeling, and have the BPF 1.15 label, they will be allowed after 2009.
Specifically, the bats in question are as follow:
Adidas Vanquish Blue design (There is a newer model of this bat, also named the Vanquish and it has copper and black markings. It contains the proper labeling and therefore is not subject to the one-year rule).
DeMarini Black Coyote
Rogue
Distance
Rumble
Tengu
Easton LZ-810
Louisville Slugger YB31
Sincerely,
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074
|
Baseball Age Groups
Below is a list of all our age groups offered in Baseball this year:
Tee Ball - 3&4 years old Coed Tee Ball
Tee Ball - 5&6 years old Tee Ball
Minors (Coach Pitch) - 7-9 years old Modified Coach Pitch
Minors (Kid Pitch) - 9-11 years old
Majors (Kid Pitch) - 10-12 years old
Junior(Kid Pitch) - 13-14 years old
Senior(Kid Pitch) - 15-16 years old
Big(Kid Pitch) - 16-18 years old
Age Chart:
Little League Age Chart for 2009 – Baseball Only
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 2005 and April 30, 2006 is league age 3.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 2004 and April 30, 2005 is league age 4.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 2003 and April 30, 2004 is league age 5.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 2002 and April 30, 2003 is league age 6.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 2001, and April 30, 2002, is league age 7.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 2000, and April 30, 2001, is league age 8.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1999, and April 30, 2000, is league age 9.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1998, and April 30, 1999, is league age 10.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1997, and April 30, 1998, is league age 11.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1996, and April 30, 1997, is league age 12.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1995, and April 30, 1996, is league age 13.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1994, and April 30, 1995, is league age 14.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1993, and April 30, 1994, is league age 15.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1992, and April 30, 1993, is league age 16.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1991, and April 30, 1992, is league age 17.
A participant born on or between the dates of May 1, 1990, and April 30, 1991, is league age 18.
NOTE: This age chart is for baseball divisions only, and only for 2009.
|
All rainout information and basic info will be posted on our league line at (888) 498-8333.
|
|
Despite Economy Little League Remains the Affordable Choice for Children, Families and Neighborhoods
Since its founding, Little League has remained a community-based program, that is operated by local volunteers and supported by the neighborhoods it serves. The cost of operation is an annual task for local Little Leagues throughout the world, but still the program remains the most widely-recognized and affordable option for more than 2.6 million children (ages 3-to-18) who wish to play organized baseball or softball.
“Playing Little League has always been about developing social skills and understanding the values of leadership, personal accountability and teamwork,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “Every child who plays Little League wants to have fun, while we as an organization want to make the program practical and affordable for all of our leagues.”
The current economic situation, may force parents to make some tough choices when deciding if their children will be playing organized sports in the coming year.
Little League does not require its chartered programs to charge a registration fee for a player to participate. What Little League does have are regulations forbidding leagues from turning away players because of an inability to pay.
“Our leagues, their players and volunteers rely on each other to make the program work,” Mr. Keener said. “Little League has many talented players, but is for everyone, not just the elite who can afford to play.”
Many leagues pass no costs on to its families, while others, along with a relationship with local sponsors, set a reasonable fee that will help offset operating expenses for the season. In fact, Little League International is continually searching for cost effective ways for communities to be a part of the program.
In contrast, the out-of-pocket cost for a family to send one player to a popular 12-under travel ball weekend tournament could be hundreds of dollars, including travel costs, lodging and food.
“Some children are more skilled than others, but our program is not solely about making great ballplayers, it’s about making better people,” Mr. Keener said. “Some players are fortunate to have the talent to play baseball and softball at a high level, and that’s one reason why there is the Little League International Tournament. For the majority though, they simply are looking for an opportunity to play, and parents want their children to be a part of something that can provide them with found memories and a positive experience.”
Other youth baseball and softball organizations have gained favor in recent years, despite the cost and lack of a governing body or safety oversight for players. Travel ball or select club teams charge parents exurbanite amounts of money under the guise that they offer a better, more competitive brand of baseball or softball.
“In the past several years, youth leagues not affiliated with Little League, and lacking the commitment to family and community, have taken the sports of baseball and softball and turned them into more of a business venture than a recreational outlet,” Mr. Keener, the first Little League graduate to be elected President and CEO of Little League International, said.
“Little League is acutely aware of the delicate economic balance required by its member leagues,” Mr. Keener said. “To that end, we have been diligent in maintaining the cost effectiveness, while not compromising on any of the materials or resources available to our chartered members.”
Some examples of how Little League has made the program cost effective while keeping it relevant on the local level include, two free rulebooks for every team, lowering charter fees, requiring background checks on volunteers at no charge to the leagues (for the first 125 checks), the development of LittleLeagueCoach.org - a free on-line coach and manager training website, the ASAP program, which yields lower insurance premiums through participation, and reimbursement for travel costs for all teams participating in the annual Little League International Tournament.
“The quality of the Little League game is as good as ever,” Mr. Keener said. “Still, in these trying financial times, it is our intent that parents understand that Little League is for everyone, and getting involved is an investment in our children’s future.”
Little League International is cost-effective, while remaining relevant on the local level. More than 2.6 million players, ages 3-18, participate in Little League Baseball and Softball. Some of the ways that Little League has crafted the program to serve local communities and neighborhoods include providing two free rulebooks for every team, lowering charter fees, requiring background checks on volunteers at no charge to the leagues (for the first 125 checks), the development of LittleLeagueCoach.org - a free on-line coach and manager training website, the ASAP program, which yields lower insurance premiums through participation, and reimbursement for travel costs for all teams participating in the annual Little League International Tournament.
|
Want to See the Rangers Half Price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
Monitor Article
Thank you Kerry Yancey and the folks at the Monitor for helping get our organization a little further out there we really appreciate all you have done and look forward to a great relationship between the our two groups.
Little League program started in area
By Kerry Yancey
Monitor Staff Writer
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–While summer league teams have been playing around the Cedar Creek Lake area for many years, those have not been official Little League teams – until now.
Registration for the opening season of the Cedar Creek Area Little League (CCALL) will be held from Saturday, Jan. 17, until Sunday, Feb. 22, both on-line at www.leaguelineup.com/ccall, and from noon until 4 p.m. each Saturday at the Optimist Fields in Seven Points (located under the water tower), the Kemp Area Sports Association fields off State Highway 274 and at the Gun Barrel City Park ballfields.
Registration tables also will be set up at many community events scheduled during the registration period.
Children ages 3 to 18 who live within the CCALL boundaries are eligible to enroll to play baseball, softball and T-ball. These will be official teams listed with Little League International, headquartered in Willamsport, Penn.
“We’re shooting for 50 teams, or about 600 kids,” Cedar Creek Area Little League president Matthew Arnold said. “We’ll offer baseball, softball, T-ball and our challenger program, for those kids with disabilities.”
The CCALL is actively seeking sponsors to help lower the start-up costs, as well as teams, coaches and officials.
“We’ll be wanting to talk with the ADs (athletic directors) to see if they’re wanting to open their teams to more exposure,” Arnold said.
Registration is required for every child interested in playing, but the fee has not been set yet, Arnold said Monday.
In an e-mail sent Monday afternoon, Arnold said the fee probably will be under $100, including the uniform.
“The budget is sitting at a cost of $65 per kid today, and we are trying to lower that,” he wrote. “Those prices are not set in stone, because we are a new league and a lot is being learned each day.”
At least one parent or legal guardian must be present at registration with three proofs of residence, and an original or state-certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. The documents will be inspected and returned at registration.
As projected, the CCALL district will cover Kaufman County from the Trinity River north to Interstate 20, east to Van Zandt County, and include the far western corner of Henderson County south to the Anderson County line.
This would include Crandall, Combine, Terrell (south of Interstate 20), Kaufman, Kemp, Mabank, Eustace, Payne Springs, Caney City, Malakoff, Trinidad and Seven Points. There is a possibility programs may be established in Van Zandt County and in the Athens and eastern Henderson County area in the near future.
Now in its 70th year, Little League International draws more than 2.8 million children and one million volunteers in more than 100 countries each year. More than 30 million people have played in Little League programs.
Although each division of baseball and softball has a Little League World Series, the one shown on ESPN involves 10- to 12-year-olds.
Baseball World Series are held in Williamsport, Penn., while softball World Series games are played in Portland, Ore., Arnold said.
To reach the World Series, teams must advance through District, State and Regional tournaments. Cedar Creek Lake area teams will be in District 8, covering much of North Texas, Arnold said.
A former KASA baseball commissioner, Arnold said he had been working with Optimist Club sponsor Dale Beavers for more than two years about setting up an official Little League program.
“We went to Scurry and Kemp, and both boards agreed to participate,” Arnold said. “We contacted the Little League, and signed a contract with them in November at the Kemp Dairy Queen.”
CCALL is governed by a 15-member board, which meets at 7 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at the Optimist Civic Center, next to the ballfields under the Seven Points water tower.
CCALL will supply uniforms and helmets, but players must provide their own shoes, gloves and other gear.
“We will have a scholarship program for needy families,” Arnold said, adding league tryouts probably will be held the first week of March.
For more information, including a description of the district boundaries, call toll-free (888) 498-8333, or visit the website www.league-lineup.com/ccall for registration and other information.
CCALL is headquartered at 1307 West Main Street, Suite B307, Gun Barrel City, TX 75156.
|
Welcome all to the new league for the Cedar Creek Area. We have included the following towns to our boundries:
* Crandall
* Kaufman
* Scurry
* Kemp
* Mabank
* Eustace
* Gun Barrel City
* Payne Springs
* Malakoff
* Trindad
* Tool
* Seven Points
Please visit daily to get updates on what we are doing for the area and the kids of the Cedar Creek Area. Coaching, Umpire, and Volunteer applications are available for download under handouts. We will have online registration soon. We look forward to a great season for the kids this year.
|
|
Little League Player Pledge
I trust in God
I love my Country
and will respect its laws.
I will play fair
and strive to win
but win or lose
I will always
do my best
|
Parent and Volunteer Pledge
I will teach all children to play fair and do their best.
I will positively support all managers, coaches, and players.
I will respect the decisions of the umpires.
I will praise a good effort despite the outcome of the game.
|
|
