October 2011

Where do you begin? Timeline of Events Building Excitement Program Design Recruiting Players Parent Meeting Recruiting Buddies Buddy Training Opening Day Program Benefits Your Challenge

Find a “Champion(s)” One or small team that will drive success Goal: Get things rolling VP of “Challenger” not necessary Year 1 Board Approval Share what you want to accomplish Gain Support to move forward Start “Spreading the Word” Little League Managers & Coaches Here is what we will be developing Target timing: This year Caveat to set expectations More to Come…. Anyone – “who will listen” NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun

KISS! (Keep It Simple) Limit the number of games 6 Games is a good target for Year One Schedule Games where there are no conflicts Sunday Afternoon is a great option No Practices! Limit the Games to two innings & two hours Treat players like players: Full Uniform(name),Trophies & Snack Keep the cost low – Target: $0 Be Flexible “No boundaries” in taking players Allow for buddies to team up NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun

Your players are in your desks, pews and bleachers Schools Contact “Special Ed Coordinator” LL Database Churches State Agencies NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Primary Secondary 4

NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Tell them three things: Who you are? What Challenger is about Tell them what you need from them

Get a PARENT LIASION Have them fill out an information sheet Be Honest You are going to get things wrong – Remember: You are baseball people! Tell them your goals and why you are doing it Opportunity to Play Right thing to do We have the resources Benefits Community It’s a Life Lesson NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun

Buddies Little League Players 11 & Up Graduated Players High Schools/Youth Groups Brothers and Sisters Managers Good organizational skills Rotate Players/Batting Order Pair Players and Buddies Good Communication Skills Game and rain out information Flexibility Put someone you trust in the role!

NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun 1 st Hr – Buddies #1 Goal: Get them at ease! Define “Special Need”: Message: A lot like you Set Expectations: Be there/On time Know your player Bring a Glove Encourage your Player Let Player Succeed Be Open/Confident Arrange for Subs Don’t be Afraid to Ask Buddy Packages/Tee Shirts 1 st Hr – Meet Your Buddy Set Up Stations Catching, throwing, hitting Buddies move to their teams Player Receives: Uniform Information Package Take player around to stations Be Flexible “May seem like Organized Chaos”

NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Make it a Big Deal Dress the Field National Anthem Announcers/First Pitch Umpires Invite the Town Fire & Police Departments Village Officials Special Ed Department Little League Officials Local Papers Picnic Atmosphere Hot Dogs, Chips, Soda Bring Dessert Raffles

NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun Insert Video of Opening Day

NovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun "What a wonderful event!! Everyone knows "Field of Dreams" well this is "Field of Heaven" for it is here that you can watch God's precious little angels play ball! To see the smiles of the children and the cheers from the parents it is truly a "Field of Heaven”... I thank all of you, the organizers and the hundreds of volunteers from my heart!” "What a fun day for everyone--lots of smiles and tears of joy all around! This was not just a Sandlot game--it was a "real" game with uniforms, an announcer, and of course concessions! "Thank you Tri-Cities Little League! … This is the only way it would be possible for my daughter to participate in her favorite sport."

Player Acceptance Team Friendships Opportunity League Revitalization Completeness “Spirit of Little League Baseball” Parents Inclusion Support Time Off Opportunity Buddies Tolerance Teaching Laughter Commitment “Life’s Lessons” WIN

PeopleCounts Players75 Buddies125 Parents200 sets Grandparents Brothers Sisters Lots Village Officials20 Opening DayCounts Hot Dogs700 Soda25 Cases Chips500 Bags

Start a Program If you have a program, add a new one If you don’t have a program, start one Leave a Legacy Make Illinois #1 in US

Mark Johnson