Reading, MA Where the Dream Begins…

History … A Vision Founded in 1939 by Carl StotzFounded in 1939 by Carl Stotz First Organized League had 3 teams with Sponsors and played their first game on June 6, 1939First Organized League had 3 teams with Sponsors and played their first game on June 6, 1939 Currently, 176,000 teams with 2.3 million youngsters in 86 countries play in the Little League ProgramCurrently, 176,000 teams with 2.3 million youngsters in 86 countries play in the Little League Program

The Goals of Little League To help youngsters develop citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well being through sports To help youngsters learn their own strengths and weaknesses, the meanings of sportsmanship and cooperation, the essence of competition, and the qualities that constitute effective leadership.

The Mission of Little League To provide an opportunity for all children to play baseball and softball To focus on development of all players during the regular season To offer a recreational program with an opportunity for postseason tournament play as opposed to a travel program

Divisions of Little League Baseball Tee Ball5-8 Minors 7-12 Majors9-12 Juniors13-14 Seniors14-16 Big League16-18

Little League Challenger Division Created in 1989 to provide children with disabilities the chance to play For children ages 5-18 Charter Fees, equipment and insurance is structured as other divisions

Little League in the Eastern Region Number of LeaguesNumber of Leagues1,990 Number of Teams:Number of Teams:55,965

Little League in Massachusetts Number of Leagues 228Number of Leagues 228 Number of Teams: 7,304Number of Teams: 7,304

MA District 13 Little League Programs Acton Boxboro LL Assabet Valley LL Lexington American LL Lexington National LL North Reading LL Stoneham LL Sudbury LL Weston LL Wilmington LL Woburn American LL Woburn National LL Wakefield American LL Wakefield National LL

Walpole LL (2007) Saugus American LL (2003) Worcester Jesse Burkett LL (2002) Recent Massachusetts World Series Participants

What will it cost to affiliate with Little League? $16/team Average of about $5/player (Charter fees and Insurance cost included) $100/team tournament fee $1/mile tournament travel reimbursement

Cost of Affiliation: Reading Youth Baseball Little League Charter Fees$768 ($16 per team) Accident Insurance$912 ($22 per team) Liability Insurance (includes D & O) $ ($30.30 per team + $135 for D & O) Total$ (about $5.20 per player)

Boundaries Ensure parity among chartered Little League programs Prevents stacking teams Boundaries are protected by Little League Each league works with the District Administrator to establish a boundary map

Accident insurance for players and volunteers General liability insurance Insurance Coverage is Year Round Required Optional Insurance l Crime insurance

A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) A Chartered Little League that has a qualified safety program in place receives a 20 percent credit on AIG/Little League accident insurance. The best Little League safety program in each U.S. Region receives $500. The best Little League safety program in the U.S. receives a free set of Musco ballfield lights, a trip for two to the Little League World Series and $500. League receives a monthly ASAP Newsletter and receives a Safety Officer Program Kit

Team Selection Little League provides 3 approved draft methods in the Little League Operating Manual Players selected to a team at the Major Division or above remain with that team for the duration of their playing time in that division Leagues may request to use an alternate draft method by submitting a waiver to the Charter Committee

Participation in Other Programs Leagues may allow players to participate in other programs Little League teams participate in other programs in the state including the Jimmy Fund Tournament Players can participate in other programs at any point during the season including the International Tournament

Jimmy Fund Little League Tournament Allows all interested players ages 8 – 12 to continue playing and developing skills after the regular season Little League teams raise money for the Jimmy Fund July 13 – Aug 15, 2009

Local League Autonomy Leagues may implement local league options and rules provided that they do not directly conflict with the Little League rule book Leagues govern themselves… Little League International does not run the local program Leagues may play multiple seasons under the same charter (spring, summer, fall, etc.)

Benefits of Little League: The World Series In all eight divisions, more than 30,000 games are played in less than two months to determine eight World ChampionsIn all eight divisions, more than 30,000 games are played in less than two months to determine eight World Champions Entry fee of $100 per team is for ENTIRE tournament, up to and including the World SeriesEntry fee of $100 per team is for ENTIRE tournament, up to and including the World Series Leagues advancing beyond district level are reimbursed at a rate of $1 per mileLeagues advancing beyond district level are reimbursed at a rate of $1 per mile Media coverage is superior to any other youth sport in the world -- ABC Wide World of Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, USA Today. World Wide Web (Internet) -- just to name a few Media coverage is superior to any other youth sport in the world -- ABC Wide World of Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, USA Today. World Wide Web (Internet) -- just to name a few

Benefits of Little League: Cost Savings Free Rule Books Free Operating Manuals Free Manager and Coach Education Program 125 Free Background Checks Tournament Travel Reimbursement Affordable Insurance Coverage Grants Available

Benefits of Little League: Training and Education Clinics and Seminars for volunteers are offered at the Region Headquarters and at International Headquarters in Williamsport, Pa.Clinics and Seminars for volunteers are offered at the Region Headquarters and at International Headquarters in Williamsport, Pa. Clinics and extensive resource materials are available for Managers, Coaches, Umpires, League Officers, etc.Clinics and extensive resource materials are available for Managers, Coaches, Umpires, League Officers, etc. Summer Camp programsSummer Camp programs Al & Al manager and coach clinics offered locally in MAAl & Al manager and coach clinics offered locally in MA

Benefits of Little League: Coaches Resource Center Free to all Chartered Leagues Updated Regularly Features both video and text based articles as well as the latest Little League news Content specific areas for baseball, softball, and minor leagues, with more to come Temporary Access Code: NL0609

Benefits of Little League: Service and Support Free rules interpretation service by phone and Operating Manuals with recommendations for structuring league activities are provided every year (include sample schedules and board positions) Full time staff available to answer questions and concerns Experienced District and State staff to support Little Leagues in MA

Published annually Stories, photos, games and more... just for kids Mailed DIRECTLY to the homes of Little League Managers whose leagues have sent in rosters through the internet or computer diskette Completely FREE Little League Magazine presented by Major League Baseball

Little League Youth Clinic and Skills Challenge Offered through an exclusive partnership with the Baseball Factory For baseball players League Age Four hour on-field workout Hitting Pitching Fielding Base Running Catching Players receive evaluations and educational handouts with drills and tips for continued on field success. Top challenge performers at the event highlighted on BaseballFactory.com

Little League National Tryouts Offered through an exclusive partnership with The Baseball Factory For baseball players in the Senior and Big League Divisions Professional Workout Evaluation from a pro-scout Instruction College Recruiting Information Parent and Player Seminars Free college recruiting calendar

Child Protection Program Originally Developed in ’96Originally Developed in ’96 Designed to educate leagues on keeping their programs safe and healthyDesigned to educate leagues on keeping their programs safe and healthy Recently revised to include background checksRecently revised to include background checks 125 free checks/league125 free checks/league

“For our area’s three Little Leagues (1,700 kids, 140 teams) the Little League organization has been there, from the DA, all the way up through the regional centers, to Little League Headquarters.” “The internet has been great. It’s just so convenient. Last year we had people registering on-line, and were able to do background checks and use the computer to find out plenty about the program.” “The support from the web as well as from the districts and main headquarters (Little League International) is better than other programs that we looked at. When you need help you can always get and answer, because the people at the Little League offices are really helpful.” What other’s have said.. What other’s have said.. Service…

What other’s have said What other’s have said.. Structure… “Little League provides structure. There are no arguments about playing rules, and no concerns about judgments made by the league because Little League provides specific guidelines.” “We didn’t have to invent anything. There is a wealth of things to look at (instructional material) and its comfortable saying we can get better by doing what is out there. Since we’ve joined we’ve helped three areas that did not have programs before.” “When we started we had six board members with Little League- age kids and we had a great working relationship between our league and the recreation department. We did not have to do a lot of hard selling. We said to the rec. department, ‘Here’s the handbook and the rulebook that comes with the name of Little league,’ and from there it was pretty easy to say, ‘That makes sense’.”

“Joining Little League created interest for kids. It’s a feather in our cap if we say we belong to Little League. Being with Little League helps show we are trying to improve, and do good things for our program.” “We now have name recognition. No matter where you go in neighboring towns, the community people see uniformity (The rules are the same, each team has Little League patches on there uniforms, etc.). I think being in Little League creates a whole different awareness for the program, and we are building a tradition of Little League Baseball.” What other’s have said.. What other’s have said.. Little League Stands Out …

New League Incentive Package As a newly chartered Little League Program, you will receive the following: –50 Additional Rule Books for your first season (in addition to the 2 per team you will already receive) –50% off your league’s Little League uniform patch order for your first season –Your league’s charter fees will be waived in full for your second year of affiliation

Gratis supplies and regular mailingsGratis supplies and regular mailings Playing rules interpretation servicePlaying rules interpretation service Training seminars and clinicsTraining seminars and clinics Democratic voice in rule changesDemocratic voice in rule changes Protected boundariesProtected boundaries Insurance: Low rates -- broad coverageInsurance: Low rates -- broad coverage Time-tested safety rules and regulationsTime-tested safety rules and regulations Tax exemption assistanceTax exemption assistance Wide range of programs, including Challenger Division for physically/mentally disabled youthWide range of programs, including Challenger Division for physically/mentally disabled youth International Tournament: One-time entry fee annually, AND mileage reimbursement for teams advancing beyond DistrictInternational Tournament: One-time entry fee annually, AND mileage reimbursement for teams advancing beyond District Why Little League? The Top Ten