Congratulations to Simpsonville Little League
Congratulations to Simpsonville Little League 11/12 Major’s Softball Champions! Let by 6′1" Carley Hoover on the mound they pull of a victory in the top of the 6th in a seesaw battle over the team from New Jersey! Back and forth it went!
Anyone want to guess what won the game? Pitching of course. Not so much this game, but getting there in softball is a throwback to the old Little League baseball. You really only need two super pitchers to get you there. Oh yeah, and a ton of luck!
All in all, these teams were the most impressive I have ever seen in this tournament. Usually the teams are good, but both of these teams were fantastic.
Congrats to both teams for making it so far! Now it’s time to start fall ball so hurry home!
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Unaccepable Behavior
Today I saw a couple of things I didn’t like on ESPN in the tournaments.
First, in the Senior Girls Softball tournament a girl from Puero Rico came around third and a play was being made on her at the plate. The rule reads that when a play is being made on a runner, the runner must "slide or avoid conflict". She lowered her shoulder and initiated contact. She should have been called out and ejected from the game. No doubt about it.
Second, the behavior of the boy during the Indiana vs. Ohio game was disgusting. Slamming bats into the ground, throwing bats around, showing up the umpires, showing up their teammates, acting disgusted when a teammate made a mistake, unacceptable, but understandable.
In a pressure situation such as this how else would we expect the kids to react? They are only 12! I blame this on the adults! The umpires should have stopped it at first instance, and the managers and coaches should have stepped in as well. It seemed nobody seem to care. This is the first time I have seen this behavior, but it is absolutely unacceptable.
Finally, know why Indiana won? Ohio ran out of pitching. They used 4 tonight, at least 2 last night, that means their number 6 was in the game! Possibly their number 7. It’s all about the pitching!
Do you think the behavior of the teams playing tonight was acceptable?
Reflections of a Sectional
Image via Wikipedia The last two Saturdays we had the honor of hosting sectional tournaments. For those that don’t know, the Little League tournament you see on TV starts at the individual district level and about two months later concludes in Williamsport. It is the greatest tournament on the planet! Likewise, this tournament is held for every division.
The sectional is the portion of the tournament that follows districts. In our section, we have three districts. They play a 3 team, one day, round robin tournament . The first game is 1v2, then the loser plays 3. Then the winner plays 3. The games are at 10, 1, and 4. Needless to say, it is very hot!
What we did right:
1. We had a fantastic city worker to prep the fields for each game
2. We had a fully stocked and staffed concession stand
3. We assigned 2 hour concessions slots to all-star teams that played in the districts
4. We iced down drinks in coolers
5. We had a full blow public address system
6. We played lots of music in between innings and games
7. We sold roster t-shirts to offset the costs of the tournaments
8. We raised concessions prices for the senior boys tournament
What we did wrong:
1. We underestimated the demand for t-shirts for senior boys
2. We overestimated the demand for t-shirts for major girls
3. We didn’t raise concessions at the major girls tournaments
All in all I think we did a fantastic job! While the sectionals tournaments are money losers because you have to purchase the banner, medallions, and pins, they are an opportunity to show off your facilities, city, and an audition for the lucrative state tournaments that come around every few years.
Additionally, our District Administrator gives all of the rain outs and championship games to us for our district top team tournament and all-star tournaments when we host the sectionals for him. We have done very well over the last couple of weeks having to make many trips to Sams!
As I watched the people leave they sincerely thanked us for hosting their kids and had smiles on their faces. That is all that really matters isn’t it?
What is the best thing you have every done hosting a tournament?
What is the worst thing you have ever done hosting a tournament?
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Raising Money at Tournaments
Image via Wikipedia Yesterday we had the honor of hosting our district’s sectional tournament for the major softball division. The sectional was created to reduce the burden on the state tournaments, but in our case is a bit silly. We have only three districts in it so it is a 3 game round robin . Whoever shows up in their two games wins and goes to states. That is for a different article though. Today, I would like to discuss making money for your league hosting a tournament.
The cost we have to put out to host the tournament is about $700. This includes the flag for the champion, pins, medallions, and medals. The problem with only three teams playing is that there is no way to make that money up with concessions. We sold almost $500 in concessions, but that is revenue, not profit. We still had to purchase the stuff that we sold.
Therefore, we needed to find a way to raise more money. Our initial thought was a souvenir t-shirt. Everyone wants a momento of the tournament right? WRONG! We sold only about 20. Why?
I think it is because the girls play in a tournament every weekend just about and purchasing a shirt at each one is not feasable. Had this been the state tournament we probably would have sold enough to justify the costs, but at the sectional they simply did not sell.
This creates quite a dilima for the hosting league. First we have to feed all the umpires and district adminstrator. There is a cost for that. Then, we have to make sure all the volunteers have water and such to keep them going. And then theres the city guy which we have to make sure he is watered and fed as well. Suddenly we are losing a lot of money hosting this event!
So how can we raise more money at this event? We tried a 50/50 drawing and didn’t sell a single ticket! What tactics have you used in the past to raise money at tournaments? Please share with us so we can all reap the rewards of the hours of effort that goes into hosting a tournament.
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Sometimes They Don’t Show Up
Image by The Celebrated Mr. K via Flickr
One of the most valuable lessons that Little League teaches, more than other sports I believe, is that if you don’t show up, you can’t win. Kids are good at this, they show up thinking they will win, take an opponent light, or simply don’t give it their all. When they do this it is during a big game our tournament and inevitably they lose.
Great life lesson, hard for the parents to take. We have to remember that this is why we sign them up, to learn tough lessons like this.
What is the toughest lesson your kid has ever learned in sports?
The Calm Weekend Before the Storm!
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That Time of the Year
It is that time of the year! Wrapping up the seasons, cramming games into the end of the year and praying for no rain! (Though we really could use rain here, how about only rain after 10PM?). Every league is pretty much the same this time of the year and things really start to get fun.
Sit Back and Enjoy
This is the time where a coach gets to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labors. I told a couple of people the other day that "you will see things you didn’t think possible over the next couple of weeks". The middle of the season starts to drag a bit, and the kids drop off here and there, but introduce tournaments, top teams, championships, and trophies and suddenly they focus! Not only do they focus, they actually implement what you have been teaching them all year! That’s the fun part!
The Inevitable Upset
Inevitably a team that hasn’t won very many games knocks someone off, a kid that hasn’t hit all year gets in a game winning situation and succeeds! A pitcher that a manager is forced into using strikes out a home run king. I kid that has never caught a fly ball in his life makes a diving catch. These times is fun!!!!!!!
My Schedule
Here is my schedule, I am sure you can relate:
Tuesday: Top Team Tournament Game
Wednesday: Minor Tournament Game
Thursday: Top Team Tournament Game
Friday: Practice
Saturday: 2 Practices
Sunday: Practice
Monday: Potential Minor Tournament Game/Potential Tournament of Champions Game
Tuesday: Potential Minor Tournament Game/Potential Tournament of Champions Game
Wednesday: Potential Minor Tournament Game/Potential Tournament of Champions Game
Thursday: Potential Minor Tournament Game/Potential Tournament of Champions Game
It doesn’t stop there, I am just not sure where it goes!
Play Ball
The great thing about this time of year, the kids know what they are doing today. Playing ball! Tomorrow? Playing ball!, the next day? Playing ball! They tend to stay very focused.
10 Minutes of Mourning
To all out there who are entering your busy time, good luck! But remember to look over at your kids 10 minutes after you lose or are eliminated, what are they doing? Running around playing w/ the other team w/ smiles on their faces of course!!!!
How busy is your schedule? Let’s hear it!
New Pitching Rules have Changed the World Series Dynamic
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The Good ‘Ole Days
Gone are the days in Little League where you could dominate a tournament with 2 pitchers. You might get away w/ 2, 3 or 4 in the district double elimination rounds where you only play one game a day, but you don’t have a shot in the sectionals or states w/ 2 games in the same day.
The States
Let’s assume that you make it to the states. When we hosted them a few years back, they played two divisions of four teams w/ a three game round robin . Then the top 2 went to a single elimination tournament. This all happened in 4 days! You need to have all pitchers on your team!
Here is how it set up:
Day 1: 2 Games/Team
Day 2: 1 Game/Team
Day 3: Semis
Day 4: Championship
Stack Your Team w/ Pitchers
You absolutely have to have 6 pitchers minimum, and preferably 8. I don’t know how the Regionals work but I imagine they are the same format as the states. At least once you get to the World Series you only play 1 game a day I think. You might play 2 in the round robins. It really doesn’t matter, you have to have lots of pitchers!
This really changes the entire dynamic of the tournament. It puts things on even ground, but it greatly favors the teams that can hit and the leagues that can develop pitchers. In addition, it puts more emphasis on defense as more balls will be put in play than normal.
Less Strike Outs
My oldest son used to say he didn’t like watching the Little League World Series because it was just one strike out after another. He was right. The other change they made last year that had a major effect was moving the fences back to 225′. Home runs turned into routine outs. It will be very interesting to watch this year.
Will ESPN Learn the New Rules?
I wonder how much the announcers will butcher it this year? They really have no clue about how the pitching works or the substitution rules. It is frustrating to hear them make comments that you KNOW are wrong! Very misleading to the layman. My dad always loved watching the Little League World Series, but I had to point out things that they covered wrong so he knew what was going on.
Father’s Love of the Game
Speaking of my dad, he used to come w/ me every night to watch tournament games when he was in town. Those times were very fun. I don’t know why he went, I think he just loved watching a game. Whenever we traveled we always had to visit the local stadium for a game, but who wants to watch other people’s kids? The answer? Me, and I guess him too.
I am sure other’s share this love. The new pitching rules will certainly change the game, but I think for the better. It will go from 18 strike outs to hitting, fielding, and throwing. As it should be.
Do you have any great All-Star stories? Please share them.
What’s Wrong with Teaching Competition?
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The Minor Divisions
Everyone knows that the major divisions of Little League are competitive. But what about the Minor League Divisions? The rule book identifies them as instructional, but does not reference competitive. How is a local board of directors supposed to interpret that? It says instructional, not non-competitive.
Teaching Competition is Instructional
My opinion is that teaching competition IS being instructional. That said, this should be VERY carefully monitored by the local leagues. The way our league set the season up this year is we had a 2 game round robin end of the season seeding for a minor league tournament.
It was our opinion we were taking 9 and 10 year olds with NO competitive experience and throwing them into the highly competitive 9/10 Little League International Tournament. They were getting creamed! So we decided to start the season instructional, make the last 2 games against each team count ONLY for seeding our end of year tournament, and then play a double elimination tournament in which ALL teams competed.
The Board’s Creation
In our opinion, this created the best of both worlds. We played games early in the year that didn’t count at all. We also play other leagues in our district, those games don’t count towards the standings either. Some of those intersperse with the round robin as well, so this gives the teams a minor respite.
Then we play games that count, but only towards seeding in the end of year tournament. So, while they count, they really don’t. Then, just before all-stars, we are holding a double elimination tournament between all the teams that is intended to be competitive.
We have successfully melded instruction and competition and taught both.
How do you run your minor league program? What suggestions do you have? Please let us know!
Little League Bulletin MAJOR All Star Rules Changes
Image via WikipediaBREAKING NEWS!
April 24, 2008
Little League Baseball sent out an emergency rules change bulletin today that will have a major impact on the tournament teams.
From the Bulletin :
Participation in Other Programs
The rule that prohibits players from participating in non-Little League programs (dual participation), once Little League tournament play has begun, has been rescinded at all levels of play for baseball and softball. However, the local Little League retains the right to dismiss a player from a tournament team if the player repeatedly misses games and practices.
Big League
The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 17 (increased from 15).
Senior League
The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 16 (increased from 14).
Wilson, W.P. (2008, April 23). Tournament Bulletin. Little League International.
I have mixed emotions on this. I understand the reasoning, we are losing to many good players to travel ball. But, are we simply giving in to the competition? In the long run I think there is nothing more exciting than the Little League tournament, so the better product should win out. This will give more kids the opportunity to compete in the tournament and make the teams better. So I guess this is a good thing. I just wish they had done it last year!
The Big League and Senior League roster expansion is a good thing.
What do you think? Should players be allowed to compete in other programs and Little League’s tournament? It wasn’t long ago a coach couldn’t even coach in a different program and coach an All-Star team. The times they are a changin’! I just wonder is it for the best? What say you?
Update from Little League 4/25/08
To clarify an e-mail distributed earlier this week regarding modifications to the 2008 Tournament Rules and Guidelines, the increases to the maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit apply to Big League and Senior League baseball only .
Big League Baseball - The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 17 (increased from 15).
Senior League Baseball - The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 16 (increased from 14).
Little League International apologizes for the confusion.
Clarification to Rules and Guidelines for 2008 Little League International Tournament . (2008, April 25). Little League International .
Now this one I don’t understand at all. WHY?????? This makes absolutely no sense! According to the original memo the reason for the roster expansion was because they had jobs and other commitments. So according to Little League, girls do not have jobs or other commitments? This is very sexist and discriminatory on their part!
In our league we have an understanding that whatever rules we make for baseball, we also make them for softball. Why would Little League International do any different?
Little League, It’s the year 2008! Get w/ the times! You made a great ruling and then botched it’s application. Fix it!
What do you think? Should rules be different for girls and boys?
Pitching is King!
When my friend and I began the minor’s season we knew that one thing ruled above all others. PITCHING! It makes or breaks a team. With the new Little League pitch count rules, each team needs at least 3 pitchers a game in minors. In the long run, this is not a bad thing. We are developing many more pitchers that we ever have in the past. But, in the heat of a game it can sometimes be tough to find someone that can throw strike. Much less anyone that can hit locations and have a little speed.
Knowing this up front, we chose to select pitchers above all else. Nobody can get two or three studs on a team, but with one stud and four or five consistent strike throwers, you can go a long way! This is where the draft strategy came into play. We don’t hit the best, we don’t field the best, but we definitely have one of the best pitching staffs in the league. And what do we all know? Good pitching stops good hitting EVERY TIME!
At the end of the season, we will be playing a double elimination tournament to prepare our minor leaguers for the 9-10 year old All-Star tournament. This tournament will take place over the course of a week. Every team will need to go 6 or 7 deep in pitching. Hopefully we score enough runs to support our pitching. Then we will look like draft masters!
Do you have any pitching management tips to share? Post a comment below and let us know about it.
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