A Passing of the Torch
OK, that may be a little dramatic, but I had a cool thing happen tonight at the city council meeting. Each year our league has to renew its land use agreement w/ the city. This is generally a non-event as there are no real changes, but we always prepare for questioning just in case a council member or the mayor has any questions. We also show up in full force as a board and try to show our support for the council.
As with all city councils, there was a few items before ours and we have to sit through the long debates. My friend and fellow board member sitting next to me bent over and said, “I can’t believe I am at a city council meeting”. She then told me she was just about to turn 30! OK, I feel old! It was cool though, I told her that was about the age I attended my first meeting so we had a bit of a passing of the torch.
I remember it clearly. It was in Loudoun County and there was a park being proposed that offered four direly needed baseball fields and soccer fields as well. We usually battled w/ soccer over green space, but on this we were united. The place was packed! The county council was shocked to see so many in the room and moved our item to number one on the agenda. I am pretty sure they came to shoot it down, but they approved the measure based on the attendance and the people’s voice.
That was a major moment in my life. I realized that people really can make a difference and that we do control our own destiny. And while it is often not an easy path, change can occur, right can overcome wrong, and the people’s will can be imposed.
I only hope that I can serve as a model to help those that follow and demonstrate to those we mentor and coach. We all think we are doing good and right, most of us have good intentions in whatever path we take and choose. Together we can make the world better.
We were short a few sponsors for teams this year and I sent out a blast email to everyone in the league. A parent sponsored a team because she thought it was the right thing to do. Not a business, nothing to advertise, simply a message. This is it:
“Life’s about choices,
Make good ones”
They wished only to convey a simple message to the young ones around them. They asked nothing in return, and in fact, they actually paid to sponsor a team for the privilege.
They have already impacted one life, mine. I hope this has the same effect on every coach and board member around the world reading this as it has had on mine. I choose to put the kids first, every decision I make involves that though process. Please do the same.
What choices have you made today that impacted someone elses life? Were they good choices? Please share them.
This post sponsored through the pepperjamNETWORK by:
Getting your teeth a “movie-star shade of white” is now safe, inexpensive and convenient thanks to the SmartWhite pen. Order it Today at SmartWhiteTeeth.com!
Find out if ClearUpMyDebtNow.com can help you!
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=43940621-dfe4-4643-a07f-0b8a933a0f66)
The Eternal Little League Debate
I have served on boards of Little League baseball for almost 20 years. Every year, every league, in every country, every city, every borough, and every town has the same debate about this time of year.
How many Major’s teams should we have?
Do not feel alone or abandoned, frustrated or flustered, and above all, don’t give up. The one thing I know for sure is, in the end, it all works out! That said, the debate is always a healthy one and sometimes feelings get hurt. That is the sad part of the equation, nobody joins a Little League Board of Directors w/ the goal of making enemies or hurting feelings. Everyone joins w/ the intent of helping the kids.
In fact, it is my experience that those who battle the most are the ones who have the most in common and some of the best ideas. The spirit of the battle should be about the kids, that’s all, nothing more, nothing less. Coaches, managers, parents, board members, all their opinions are irrelevant. It is the board’s duty to do what is best for all of the kids in the league, period. Anything short of that is unacceptable.
That said, everyone thinks what they are doing IS for the best of the kids. Therein lies the problem and root of all passion on the subject. So how do we resolve this?
Little Leagues provides us with two very clear guidelines to help us determine the number of Major League teams to have in our league:
1. Any child that rates a total of 15 in 5 skills, or an average of 3 for each skill, should play in the major leagues.
2. A league should have 1 major team per each 2 minor teams.
A couple of things to consider here. First, intent, second, reality.
The INTENT of these guidelines is to get EVERY kid who is capable of playing baseball to play in the major leagues. Not the best, not the studs, not only home run hitters, but EVERY child aged 11 and 12 UNLESS they are extremely weak or maybe a first year player w/ little coordination.
Last year Little League made it mandatory that all 12 Year Olds play in the Majors because so many leagues were pushing them down to minors. The bottom line is, any 12 year old kid that is 1/2 coordinated can play in the major’s division. Additionally, Little League has STOPPED calling it the major league division, and now refers to it as the Little League division, this is because too many people were making it too competitive.
Those that have been readers of this blog know I am ALL for competition. I love it and the life lessons it teaches are irreplaceable. So why do we want to deprive average kids from getting these life lessons simply to have a superstar major’s program? Again, Little League wants AVERAGE kids to play Little League baseball. It is sort of their birthright as Americans, who are we to deprive those kids of this opportunity?
Want more proof? Little League does not allow any board of directors to have more than 50% of the members be coaches or managers. Why? Coaches NEVER think there is enough talent. They just got done with all-stars and they are comparing the new crop of raw talent to that they have nurtured for years to the level they have become.
Some parents, of course, think their kid is better than he or she is and want them to move up too fast. This is another issue a board must address. Finally, some parents refuse to allow their kids to play up, unfortunately, nothing a board can do about this. If a kid is drafted into the major leagues, that’s where he plays, if the parent doesn’t want him to play there, he can’t play. How can a board send a kid that is drafted into majors down to minors? What grounds do they have? What if he hurts someone? That is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
So what are we to do as board members? The solution is NEVER a simple one, but the league should ALWAYS err on the side of moving kids up, rather than forcing them down. Each team needs a few bubble kids to develop. It is amazing how much progress they make over the year in majors vs. how little they would make in minors.
One year I held my oldest boy down. He was the star of the team, he didn’t push himself and he didn’t improve nearly as much as if he had moved up. That was a mistake. The next year, he wasn’t the stud any more and he improved 100%.
When in doubt, move kids up, but do not do it to the detriment of the league. There is absolutely no reason to have a kid up that does not have the skills to perform as an “average” player. NOT an “average existing major league player”, but an “average player for his/her age”. Kids should be judged among their peers and the top % should move to the major leagues. It really is that simple, if only deciding how to accomplish that were so simple.
How does your league determine how many major league teams to have?
This post sponsored through the pepperjamNETWORK by:
Is your personal info going to be SAFE & SECURE when you shop online? Be sure with the buySAFE Shopping Advisor!
Nurses Station at NursesDirect.com – Distinctive Gifts for the Nursing Profession
Related articles by Zemanta
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=d8093ef6-197e-4568-8407-4ac89a7af2ba)
Little League Increases Number of Free Background Checks
Ever wonder why Little League is the best organization on the planet? How about Background Checks? They are MANDATORY to volunteer in Little League. This means every manager, coach, umpire, team mom, everyone who comes in “regular contact” with a player. This process MUST be repeated every year as well! Not just one and done.
Other leagues don’t even require it, Little League makes it easy for its leagues to accomplish! They gave each league 80 free background checks last year, this year each league gets 125 free! These are not little rinky-dink checks either. They are very comprehensive and err on the side of too much information. They are a fantastic tool for the leagues, and they are FREE!!!!
Here is the letter from Little League announcing the upgrade:
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2009, the number of free background checks available to chartered local leagues and districts through ChoicePoint, newly-acquired by LexisNexis, has been increased from 80 to 125 – an increase of 56 percent. To sign up and start doing background checks, go to http://littleleague.choicepoint.com.
Local Little Leagues have been required to conduct a nationwide background checks that include all the applicable government sex offender registry data since 2007. Statewide checks were required from 2003 to 2006. However, Little League International recommends that leagues go beyond the minimum in order to obtain information on other sex crimes and criminal charges that will not be found on the National Sex Offender Registry.
Keep in mind the number of background checks your league must be conducting on an annual basis. To be compliant with the Little League regulation, leagues must conduct checks on all coaches and managers, board members, and any other persons, volunteers or hired workers that provide regular service and/or have repetitive access to, or contact with players or teams. This includes, but is not limited, to extra practice coaches, umpires, team parents, grounds crew, scorekeepers and concession workers.
Information on Little League’s background check regulation is available in the 2009 A Safety Awareness Plan (ASAP) materials that are currently available the Little League website, at: http://www.littleleague.org/Learn_More/forms.htm.
As always, thank you for your service to the children and families of your community.
Does it get any better than that? What other leagues provide free background checks? I am curious to know.
This post sponsored by:
SourceOneCreditRepair.com – A helpful membership that is easy to understand and offers Unlimited Credit Repair Services at an affordable rate!
Related articles by Zemanta
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=980ffa46-ff04-48d2-b623-71aeac7bce3f)
2009 Little League Rules and Regulation Changes
Finally after weeks of waiting the 2009 Little League Rules and Regulation Changes are in! One there is one doozy! Completely out of left field for me, and I thought I was in the know. The more I learn, the less I seem to know.
Baseball Rules Changes
Following is the document distributed by Little League tonight. The most drastic change is that a pitcher may now move to catcher if they pitch 40 pitches or less in a game. The old rule for 2008 was if a pitcher threw 1 pitch, they could not catch the rest of the day.
Also, there are two options, one of which the local board or the interleague commissioner must adopt, that define days of rest and/or games for a pitcher. They have given leagues the option to remove the mandatory 1 game rest but, if you select this option, an additional days rest is added to each pitch count level.
So a pitcher in 2008 that pitched 61 or more pitches in a day would have to have 3 days rest AND a game, instead, the local league or interleague commissioner could adopt option 2 which would allow for a pitcher to have to rest 4 days, but no mandatory game. Unless the game was Monday or Thursday, this would not change the rule really. Rain would change it, but that is about all. A league scheduling their games on TUE/SAT, for instance, would feel no effect from the change.
My personal opinion is go with option two. I am always for selecting good managers and empowering them to succeed. Option two gives the manager the most flexibility. What do you think? I am curious.
A second clarification, that had not been finalized yet, is that they made the Junior League maximum bat diameter 2 5/8″, just like Seniors. There was some question on this before, but now it is official.
The Stupid Insurance Rule of the Year: Coaches can’t wear casts on the field?????????? Sometimes you have to wonder about our society.
The rest of the rules are simple clarifications that most people already knew anyway. I am surprised to learn that defacing the ball only requires the pitcher to be removed from the mound and not the game. Cheating should result in ejection in my mind. Am I missing something here?
CHANGES/UPDATES TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®
RULES AND REGULATIONS – 2009
(Last update: October 30, 2008)
Regulation IV (i) Note 3
What is changed: Text added for clarification.
NOTE 3: In Minor League, if a half-inning ends because of the imposition of the five-run limit in “Rule 2.00 – Inning,” and a player on the defense has played for the entire half-inning, that player will be considered to have participated for three consecutive outs for the purposes of this rule. However, if the player has not played on defense for the entire inning, that player will be credited only as having played for the number of outs that occurred while the player was used defensively.
Regulation VI – PITCHERS
What is changed: Increases the maximum number of pitches a pitcher could deliver, and then be permitted to become a catcher in that day; Provides a second option for required rest; Deleted (e.) and moved that text up so that it applies only to Option 1.
(a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a team may use in a game.)
(b) A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as a pitcher. Junior, Senior, and Big League Divisions only: A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.
(c) The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
League Age 17-18 105 pitches per day
13-16 95 pitches per day
11-12 85 pitches per day
9-10 75 pitches per day
7-8 50 pitches per day
Exception: Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
Prior to the start of the regular season the local league Board of Directors (or leagues involved in interleague play) must choose one of the following pitching rule options to be used by all teams in the league or a specific division during the regular season. NOTE: The local league Board (or leagues involved in interleague play) may select option 1 or option 2 but may not pick parts of option 1 and option 2 to make a local league rule.
Option 1:
(d) Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest and a game (see note below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 41 – 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest and a game (see note below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21 – 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest and a game (see note below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 – 75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest and a game (see note below) must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26 – 50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
NOTE: A player may not pitch in consecutive games. Exception – League Age 16 and under – A player may pitch in consecutive games if 40 or less pitches were delivered in the previous game. League Age 17-18 – A player may pitch in consecutive games if 50 or less pitches were delivered in the previous game.
Option 2:
(d) Pitchers league age 16 and under must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 41 – 60 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 21 – 40 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
• If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 51 – 75 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 26 – 50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required.
(e) DELETED for 2009
(f) Each league must designate the scorekeeper or another game official as the official pitch count recorder.
(g) The pitch count recorder must provide the current pitch count for any pitcher when requested by either manager or any umpire. However, the manager is responsible for knowing when his/her pitcher must be removed.
(h) The official pitch count recorder should inform the umpire-in-chief when a pitcher has delivered his/her maximum limit of pitches for the game, as noted in Regulation VI (c). The umpire-in-chief will inform the pitcher’s manager that the pitcher must be removed in accordance with Regulation VI (c). However, the failure by the pitch count recorder to notify the umpire-in-chief, and/or the failure of the umpire-in-chief to notify the manager, does not relieve the manager of his/her responsibility to remove a pitcher when that pitcher is no longer eligible.
(i) Violation of any section of this regulation can result in protest of the game in which it occurs. Protest shall be made in accordance with Playing Rule 4.19.
(j) A player who has attained the league age of twelve (12) is not eligible to pitch in the Minor League. (See Regulation V – Selection of Players)
(k) A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day. (Exception: In the Big League Division, a player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day.)
NOTES:
1. The withdrawal of an ineligible pitcher after that pitcher is announced, or after a warm-up pitch is delivered, but before that player has pitched a ball to a batter, shall not be considered a violation. Little League officials are urged to take precautions to prevent protests. When a protest situation is imminent, the potential offender should be notified immediately.
2. Pitches delivered in games declared “Regulation Tie Games” or “Suspended Games” shall be charged against pitcher’s eligibility.
3. In suspended games resumed on another day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of their eligibility for that day, provided said pitcher has observed the required days of rest.
Example 1: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on the following Thursday. The pitcher is not eligible to pitch in the resumption of the game because he/she has not observed the required days of rest.
Example 2: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes on Saturday. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game because he/she has observed the required days of rest.
Example 3: A league age 12 pitcher delivers 70 pitches in a game on Monday when the game is suspended. The game resumes two weeks later. The pitcher is eligible to pitch up to 85 more pitches in the resumption of the game, provided he/she is eligible based on his/her pitching record during the previous three days (or four days, if the league is using Option 2).
Note: The use of this regulation negates the concept of the “calendar week” with regard to pitching eligibility.
Rule 1.10
What is changed: Reduces the maximum diameter for a bat in the Junior League Baseball division from 2 3/4 inches to 2 5/8 inches. (Maximum diameter for bats in Senior League and Big League remains at 2 5/8 inches.)
1.10 – The bat must be a baseball bat which meets Little League specifications and standards as noted in this rule. It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards.
Little League (Majors) and below: it shall not be more than thirty-three (33) inches in length nor more than two and one-quarter (2¼) inches in diameter. Non-wood bats shall be printed with a BPF (bat performance factor) of 1.15 or less;
Junior League: it shall not be more than 34 inches in length; nor more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part.
Senior/Big League: it shall not be more than 36 inches in length, nor more than 2 5/8 inches in diameter, and if wood, not less than fifteen-sixteenths (15/16) inches in diameter (7/8 inch for bats less than 30”) at its smallest part. The bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-Iong bat cannot weigh less than 30 ounces). All non-wood bats shall meet the BESR performance standard, and such bats shall be labeled with a permanent certification mark.
In all divisions, wood bats may be taped or fitted with a sleeve for a distance not exceeding sixteen (16) inches (18 inches for Junior/Senior/Big League baseball) from the small end. A non-wood bat must have a grip of cork, tape or composition material, and must extend a minimum of 10 inches from the small end. Slippery tape or similar material is prohibited. An illegal bat must be removed.
NOTE 1: Junior/Senior/Big League: The 2¾ inch in diameter bat is not allowed in any division.
NOTE 2: The traditional batting donut is not permissible
NOTE 3: The bat may carry the mark “Little League Tee Ball.”
NOTE 4: Non-wood bats may develop dents from time to time. Bats that cannot pass through the approved Little League bat ring for the appropriate division must be removed from play. The 2¼ inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Tee Ball, Minor League and Little League Baseball divisions. The 2 5/8 inch bat ring must be used for bats in the Junior, Senior and Big League divisions of baseball.
Rule 1.11 (k) Note
What is changed: Clarified to include managers and coaches.
(k) Casts may not be worn during the game. NOTE: Persons wearing casts, including managers and coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.
Rule 3.02 Penalty
What is changed: Clarified to make it clear that the pitcher could remain in the game after the infraction, but at a different position.
PENALTY: The umpire shall demand the ball and remove the offender from the pitching position. In case the umpire cannot locate the offender, and if the pitcher delivers such discolored or damaged ball to the batter, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitching position at once.
Rule 3.03 Note (1)
What is changed: Added for clarification.
NOTE 1: A substitute may not be removed from the game prior to completion of his/her mandatory play requirements.
Rule 7.10 (d)
What is changed: Added for clarification.
EXCEPTION: If an otherwise proper appeal is being made by a player who has to go into foul territory to retrieve the ball in order to make an appeal or if the appeal is being made by the catcher (who may never have been in fair territory at all), the appeal will be adjudged to have been properly executed.
Retrieved 10/30/08 from http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/RR_Changes_BB_09_10-30-08.pdf
Tournament Baseball Rules Changes
Nothing substantial here other than pitchers being able to move to catcher as long as they have not pitched more than 40 pitches. No rest changes, they kept the game needed for competitive reasons. They really don’t want a team dominating with two pitchers as teams have done in the past. Again, you need 5 or 6 good pitchers to make it to the World Series, it’s all about the pitching!
CHANGES/UPDATES TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL®
TOURNAMENT RULES AND GUIDELINES – 2009
(Last update: October 30, 2008)
Teams
What is changed: Increases the maximum number of players on a Senior League or Big League affidavit.
Senior League: Teams and Eligibility Affidavit shall consist of, and must be limited to, a maximum of sixteen (16) players, one (1) manager and a maximum of two (2) coaches.
Big League: Tournament teams may be selected from all league teams in a district or may be a regular season unit team. Teams and Eligibility Affidavit shall consist of, and must be limited to, a maximum of seventeen (17) players, one (1) manager and a maximum of two (2) coaches.
Participation In Other Programs
What is changed: Removes the prohibition on participation in non-Little League programs for all divisions, but still provides the local league with the ability to remove a player who repeatedly misses games or practices.
Participation in other programs during the International Tournament is permitted, subject to the provisions of Regulation IV (a) Note 2.
League Eligibility
What is changed: Clarified to establish that the league must schedule at least on-half of the regular season games to be played not later than June 15; Establishes the last date by which certain forms and/or requests must be submitted.
In order for a Little League program to be eligible to enter a team or teams into the International Tournament (including 9-10 Year Old Division and 10-11 Year Old Division) the following must be accomplished as indicated:
1) The league must be chartered in the division(s) for which it wishes to enter a tournament team(s), no later than June 9, 2009. Examples: Chartered in Little League Majors to enter a Major Division team (11-12 year olds); chartered in Senior League to enter a Senior Division team, etc.
2) The league must have scheduled and played, at a minimum, a 12-game (per team) regular season exclusive of playoffs and tournament games for each division entering tournament. See Reg. VII. The schedule shall be arranged so that at least one-half of the games are scheduled prior to June 15.
3) All waivers requests (for the league, team, player, manager, and/or coach) of any kind must be submitted and approved not later than June 9, 2009.
4) All regular season team rosters must be submitted to Little League International in accordance with the requirements outlined in Regulation IV (g), not later than June 9, 2009;
5) Team number revisions and fees incurred by the league must be paid in full by June 9, 2009.
6) All combined team and interleague play requests that may involve tournament play must be submitted and approved not later than June 9, 2009.
Failure to meet any of the listed requirements could result in a team or teams being declared ineligible by the Tournament Committee at Little League International.
4. PITCHING RULES – LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, 9-10 YEAR OLD, 10-11 YEAR OLD DIVISION, AND JUNIOR LEAGUE
What is changed: Increases the maximum number of pitches a pitcher could deliver, and then be allowed to become a catcher in that day; Removes the Senior League pitching rules from this section and places them with the Big League rule.
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed above for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
4. PITCHING RULES – SENIOR LEAGUE AND BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL
What is changed: Increased the maximum number of pitches a pitcher could deliver, and then become a catcher in that day; Added the Senior League pitching rules to this section.
These rules replace the regular season pitching regulations. Violation of these pitching rules is subject to protest and action by the Tournament Committee in Williamsport if protested before the umpire(s) leave the playing field.
a. Any player on a tournament team may pitch. (NOTE: There is no limit to the number of pitchers a tournament team may use in a game.)
b. A tournament pitcher may not pitch in regular season or Special Games while the team is still participating in the tournament.
c. A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game, but only once per game.
d. The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position:
League Age: 16 – 18 (Big League) 105 pitches per day
14 – 16 (Senior League) 95 pitches per day
Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed above for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
e. Pitchers league age 14 and above must adhere to the following requirements:
• If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest, and a game (see f. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 36 to 60 pitches in a day, one calendar day of rest, and a game (see f. below), must be observed.
• If a player pitches 1 to 35 pitches in a day, no rest is required.
f. A player may not pitch in consecutive games. Exceptions – A player may pitch in consecutive games if:
1. less than 36 pitches were pitched in the previous game, or,
2. the previous game was at another level, and the pitcher has received the required number of days of rest as noted in (e.) above. (Levels are District, Section, State, Division, Region, and World Series.)Note: A contest decided by forfeit does not constitute a “game” for the purpose of this rule unless one complete inning was physically played before the game was forfeited. (Forfeits are only by decree of the Tournament Committee in Williamsport.)
g. A player may not pitch in more than two games in a day.
h. In a game suspended by darkness, weather, or other causes and resumed the following calendar day, the pitcher of record at the time the game was halted may continue to the extent of his/her eligibility, provided he/she delivered 60 or less pitches, and subject to each of these conditions:
1. If the pitcher delivered 35 or less pitches before the game was suspended, that pitcher’s pitch count will begin at zero for the continuation portion of the game;
2. If the pitcher delivered between 36 and 60 pitches before the game was suspended, that pitcher’s pitch count will begin with the number of pitches delivered in that game;
Retrieved 10/30/08 from http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/Tourn_RuleChanges_BB_09_10-30-08.pdf
Softball Rules Changes
Nothing at all substantial here other than managers can’t wear casts on the field?????? I am really struggling with this stupid rule. It’s the stupid rules that cause all the fights in Little League.
CHANGES/UPDATES TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL®
RULES AND REGULATIONS – 2009
(Last update: October 30, 2008)
Rule 1.11 (k) Note
What is changed: Clarified to include managers and coaches.
(k) Casts may not be worn during the game. NOTE: Persons wearing casts, including managers and coaches, must remain in the dugout during the game.
Rule 1.15
What is changed: Adds “optic yellow” to prohibited solid colors.
(a) The pitcher’s glove shall be of one solid color other than white, gray, or optic yellow, or if multi-colored, white, gray or optic yellow shall not be included in the colors. A glove that is judged to be distracting is illegal.
Rule 3.02
What is changed: Clarified to make it clear that the pitcher could remain in the game after the infraction, but at a different position.
PENALTY: The umpire shall demand the ball and remove the offender from the pitching position. In case the umpire cannot locate the offender, and if the pitcher delivers such discolored or damaged ball to the batter, the pitcher shall be removed from the pitching position at once.
Rule 3.03
What is changed: Added for clarification.
NOTE 1: A substitute may not be removed from the game prior to completion of his/her mandatory play requirements.
Rule 7.10 (d)
What is changed: Added for clarification.
EXCEPTION: If an otherwise proper appeal is being made by a player who has to go into foul territory to retrieve the ball in order to make an appeal or if the appeal is being made by the catcher (who may never have been in fair territory at all), the appeal will be adjudged to have been properly executed
Retrieved 10/30/08 from http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/RR_Changes_SB_09_10-30-08.pdf
Softball Tournament Rules Changes
They have relaxed the pitching requirements slightly stating that a pitcher that pitches less than three innings need not have a day’s rest, but it was two before. They have not removed the game requirement though so this doesn’t really change much.
They are allowing 9/10 division pitcher to pitch 7 innings in one day. We lost a game like this that went into extra innings and we ran out of pitchers. Had our starter been able to pitch one more inning, who knows, we may have been able to win, maybe not, but you never know. We lost by 7 runs because our sub couldn’t pitch any strikes. We knew this, but what could we do? You only have 2 weeks to practice your tournament team.
CHANGES/UPDATES TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL®
TOURNAMENT RULES AND GUIDELINES – 2009
(Last update: October 30, 2008)
Participation in Other Programs
What is changed: Removes the prohibition on participation in non-Little League programs for all divisions, but still provides the local league with the ability to remove a player who repeatedly misses games or practices.
Participation in other programs during the International Tournament is permitted, subject to the provisions of Regulation IV (a) Note 2.
League Eligibility
What is changed: Clarified to establish that the league must schedule at least on-half of the regular season games to be played not later than June 15; Establishes the last date by which certain forms and/or requests must be submitted.
In order for a Little League program to be eligible to enter a team or teams into the International Tournament (including 9-10 Year Old Division and 10-11 Year Old Division) the following must be accomplished as indicated:
1) The league must be chartered in the division(s) for which it wishes to enter a tournament team(s), no later than June 9, 2009. Examples: Chartered in Little League Majors to enter a Major Division team (11-12 year olds); chartered in Senior League to enter a Senior Division team, etc.
2) The league must have scheduled and played, at a minimum, a 12-game (per team) regular season exclusive of playoffs and tournament games for each division entering tournament. See Reg. VII. The schedule shall be arranged so that at least one-half of the games are scheduled prior to June 15.
3) All waivers requests (for the league, team, player, manager, and/or coach) of any kind must be submitted and approved not later than June 9, 2009.
4) All regular season team rosters must be submitted to Little League International in accordance with the requirements outlined in Regulation IV (g), not later than June 9, 2009;
5) Team number revisions and fees incurred by the league must be paid in full by June 9, 2009.
6) All combined team and interleague play requests that may involve tournament play must be submitted and approved not later than June 9, 2009.
Failure to meet any of the listed requirements could result in a team or teams being declared ineligible by the Tournament Committee at Little League International.
Tournament Playing Rules
What is changed: Increases the circumference of the softball to be used in the 10-11 Year Old Division from 11 inches to 12 inches.
1. SOFTBALLS: Softballs meeting Little League specifications for a 12-inch softball shall be used in 10-11 Little League, Junior League, Senior League, and Big League play. The 11-inch softball shall be used in the 9-10 division.
4. PITCHING RULES – LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL, 9-10 YEAR OLD SOFTBALL, AND 10-11 YEAR OLD DIVISION
What is changed: Establishes the maximum number of innings a player could pitch in a day; Allows for consecutive days of pitching if two or less innings are pitched in a day; .
f. A player may not pitch in more than nine (9) innings in a day. 9-10 & 10-11 Year Old Division players may not pitch in more than seven (7) innings in a day.
g. If a player pitches in less than three (3) innings in a calendar day, no rest is required.
h. If a player pitches in three (3) or more innings in a calendar day, one day’s rest is required. This also applies between regular season games following Tournament elimination or Special Games following the Tournament.
EXAMPLE (1): A player may pitch on Saturday in regular season play then, after one (1) calendar day’s rest, pitch again in the next level of tournament play on Monday.
EXAMPLE (2): A player may pitch on Saturday in the final district game then, after one (1) calendar day’s rest, pitch again in the next level of tournament play on Monday.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) A player may pitch on consecutive calendar days if less than three (3) innings were pitched in the previous calendar day.
(2) In a game suspended by darkness, weather or other causes and resumed the following calendar day, the pitchers of record at the time the game was halted may continue to pitch to the extent of the remaining eligibility that pitcher would have had during the previous day. However, in no event shall any pitcher pitch more than nine (9) innings (seven [7] innings – 9/10 and 10/11) in any game
Retrieved 10/30/08 from http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/Tourn_RuleChanges_SB_09_10-30-08.pdf
Very exciting stuff from Little League. What do think about the new rules changes? Please chime in, let’s get some debate going here!
Related articles by Zemanta
- Tired of the “Somebody is Going to Get Hurt” Excuse
- Little League Umpires and the Circle Violation
- On Deck Batter Responsibilities
- How pitching changes little leaguers’ shoulders
- Make Them Better
- Top Ten Reasons Your Kid is an All-Star
- Effort to Get Metal to Act Like Wood
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=5f1a543a-5355-42d7-bbf7-78bfb530bcf4)
Why Do We Hold Grudges?
I ask this question because it seems to be an epidemic in Little League. A coach makes a bad decision, says something that is out of line, loses his temper, or just makes a rookie error. A parent yells too loud, yells at the coach one day, takes their kid off the team, or something along those lines. An umpire has a bad game, makes a bad call, or blows a game for a team. It seems Little League parents, coaches, and umpires have trouble letting this stuff go.
I have been ejected from 5 or 6 Little League games in 19 years. All of those ejections came from the same umpire. See a trend? Likewise, I have had plenty of parents unhappy with something I did, a mistake I made, or maybe a decision I stand by that they didn’t agree with. Those parents still hold something I did years ago against me. Likewise, everyone thinks the board members are out to get them, or stack a team, or something of the like, that is generally hogwash, the board has strict rules with which it must adhere.
Then there are the rare exceptions that I have stood my ground, knowing there was no life lesson in giving in to an individual child’s wants over the betterment of the entire league. I have had players that I drafted on to my team knowing they didn’t want to be there, but knowing that they wanted to play w/ their friends and stack their teams. This usually occurs in the junior or senior division. I drafted them anyway, knowing I could work with them and that they would contribute to the team. We won a championship that year because the very players that protested contributed so greatly.
Just this year a player returned to our league who had left the league because he was not permitted to be placed back in the draft after being part of a Major’s team for the year. This is the manager’s decision and they did not want to release him. Understandable, why weaken your team and strengthen another for the good of one child and the detriment of 23 others? That parent came to me this year and asked if I had any hard feelings, my response? Of course not, he did what he thought was best for his kid and I did what I thought was best for the league. It is rarely personal.
Another situation involves an adult that the board felt was causing trouble. For a few months the two of us didn’t talk even though we had been friendly for years before. He finally started a conversation, we talked things out, and now we are both coaching cordually again. It is silly to have it any other way. But some people don’t see it that way, some people hold grudges. I can do nothing about that, it is their demon, not mine. Who is wrong? Initially, that can be debated, though it really doesn’t matter, but now? Whoever holds the grudge. Is hate what we want to teach our children? Then we wonder why they have so much trouble functioning in a society that will send them on their way if they are unable to cooperate in today’s corporate team structured world?
The fact is, everyone makes mistakes. Coaches, managers, umpires, parents, kids, everyone. Why do we hold on to our hatred and misguided feelings? Why do we put so much effort into negativity? Have you ever felt good about hating someone? But, by contrast, how good does it make you feel when you talk to someone, work it out, and move forward on a whole new plane of understanding? Now that is a good feeling isn’t it? Why do so many deprive themselves of this feeling rather than try and bring good into their lives?
Forgiveness is great. I once had a boss that used to say, “you don’t have to like them, you just have to work with them,” about people that we didn’t really like or customers that were less than cooperative. So many of us smile and are cordial to those we service daily, yet we are nasty and hateful to those that are closest to us who can enlighten our lives so much. I am not talking about family, they love you unconditionally, I am talking about neighbors, friends, teammates, fellow parents and coaches, why can’t we work through our differences and make everyone’s lives better? It does take two to tango though.
Do you have a situation where you worked something out with another and ended up creating a whole different scenario that was better than the original?
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=b57f885c-5279-423a-8521-d4410f238fed)
Greatest Player Agent and Information Officer in Little League
I am the information officer for our Little League. This requires me to maintain constant contact with our membership. The best and most efficient way to achieve this is via mass blast emails. It is easy to just send out an email that says one thing or another, but creating a culture is more more important.
Every word that comes out of a board member’s mouth should be focused on creating and maintaining a positive culture for our children. One simply way I do this is always addressing our parents, coaches, and kids with enthusiasm and support. Based on the record number or registrations for our fall season, I would say our board is successful at this.
Creating a League culture is important. If you are always fighting and never happy, that becomes your league’s culture. But if you stay positive and understand that everyone is there for the kids, the entire culture of an organization can be changed.
My favorite way to do this is to always address the parents in my email blasts as “The Greatest Little League Parents on the Planet”, or something of the like. I address the coaches as “The Great Little League Coaching Staff Ever Assembled”. The other day I pointed out that we had “The Most Fantastic Team Parents on the Planet”. All this is simple and easy to do and it instills a sense of pride and accomplishment in your loyal and ever under appreciated volunteers.
Finally, I ended a letter I sent to the coaches with a definition of success for the season. I pointed out that a successful fall season is not measured with wins and loses, but by how much each player on your team improves. Fall is not about winning, fall is about preparing to win in the spring. I challenged them to take on this goal and own it. The response will be good I believe.
The greatest thing that came out of it for me personally? A reply from a friend of mine, another hard working volunteer, that said “To the greatest player agent and information officer in Little League. Awesome job!!”. I guess people are taking notice. I certainly notice a more positive vibe in our league, this minor investment will have a lifetime of benefits as we teach our children to remain positive, face every challenge head on, and failure only brings us one step closer to success.
How do you create a culture in your local league? What is the culture? Is it positive or negative?
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=a4dac17b-8cfe-42db-a97c-4041af5165c0)
Dialmycalls.com is Perfect for Coaches and More!
David Batcherlor, owner of dialmycalls.com , contacted me a few days ago because he felt his product was perfect for Little League coaches. While I agree with him, I would certainly not restrict it to Little League Coaches! I would recommend this product for ANYONE that has multiple people to call w/ the same message! This thing rocks!
Easy Set Up
As it so happened, we had rain tonight and our entire district’s all-star games were canceled. The perfect time to give dialmycalls.com a test run! First I navigated over to the site and quickly signed up. Took all of a minute. Once in I clicked on the the Setup a group call link on the right. Step one had me select my free service, step 2 had me record my message. I had the choice of recording my own message, uploading a wav file or having them convert my text to voice.
The service is free for 1 phone call a day to up to 25 people, so they drop a short ad in the front and back of your announcement, but it is really not obtrusive at all! Plus, you can select a male or female voice for the message. Anyone want to take a guess which voice I wanted to hear?
Record You Message
I selected to record my own voice message to broadcast to the board of directors of our league. I clicked, add recording, and ding-aling my phone rang! It prompted me to record my message, which I did, and then hit pound. I could listen to it, rerecord or simply hang up. Done. It took me 10 times as long to type this as it took to actually perform the task.
Add Your Names
Then I added 11 names, phone numbers , and email addresses . Yes, one of the options I selected was to backup your voice message w/ an email wav file just in case they didn’t get your voice mail . (Remember the days when you could avoid people? Those days are over!) This was actually a bit of a chore. It was frustrating because my only options were load phone numbers w/ no names (fast but I knew I would need these numbers for other lists in the future), load names/numbers/emails, or upload a data file.
The data file option would have been nice, but I would have had to have it in excel or .cvs format. Who has that? Would have been much nicer if I could have integrated my data from my outlook, or even better, directly from my cell phone ! Either way, it wasn’t all that bad, and I am sure they are working on some kind of option similar to this.
Anyway, once I had all the names in, I hit the send call now button. I could have scheduled a time to send it, but I chose instantly. It was truly instantly. Before my fingers had time to leave the keyboard my phone was ringing w/ my message and all the board members quickly called me to let me know they got it!
It was FANTASTIC! BEAUTIFUL! What a relief! I took 11 calls and turned them into 1!!!!!!
One thing I forgot to mention, I was able to put the contacts into groups. I created the group Board of Directors, directly from the form that I was inputting the names from! It could not have been more convenient.
Group Administration
Once I completed this, I went to the groups/names admin page. I clicked a check mark next to the names of the board members who also had players on my all-star team and bada-bing bada-boom, created and added them to my all-star team announcement group! I then repeated the chore of adding the additional players names to that team’s group. It was quite simple. I have people in more than one group, but only one entry. That is kind of sweet.
One more thing, the wav file is not actually emailed to your list. A link is. This is nice because there is no need for the receiver to actually open a file. The file is hosted by the dialmycalls.com server and played instantly.
They also offer premium options for larger groups and the prices are very affordable, starting at only 4 1/2 cents a call! They also have a reporting function and what appears to be a fantastic support page.
Gone forever are the days of the phone tree that always broke! Today, we have dialmycalls.com .
Also on the Board!
Dedicated to Sportsmanship
Yes, this site is dedicated to teaching good sportsmanship and leadership skills, but we all know we need structure in our lives! I think I may have a little too much structure, but serving on our Board of Directors is how I provide the structure that the kids need to play ball.
You would think you just show up for a game and bring your glove right? Wrong! Being on the Board is a full time job! That full time job involves a lot of time that I have to invest and take away from the things I love.
Day in the Life
Here was my day:
(Pretty Typical)
1. Work all day long on my day job
2. Haul butt home from work
3. Wolf down a pork chop and mac & cheese
4. Out the door to combined pitching practices
5. Straight from practice to a board meeting
6. After the board meeting spend 2 hours figuring out that the new software we bought to control the entry locks to the snack bar won’t work w/o a new USB adapter cable
7. Home around 11PM
8. School work for about 2 hours
9. Answer hundreds of emails
10. Write this post!
Season Starting
With the season starting, things should slow down a bit, but not much I am sure! Anyway, that is the true life of a Little League Coach and parent.
Anyone have a similar story to share? Click below to comment.
Opening Day a Huge Success
I Love Vista Print
Opening Day Tomorrow
Rough Night
Help Feed the Needy for Easter
What our Readers are Saying