Congratulations to this years Tournament of Champions of Coke from the 9-10 Girls Softball!!!!

 The championship victory came when the Coke shut out a team from Boulder Arrowhead Big Sky Little League, 7-0.

"We win as a team, and we lose as a team," said coach Garth Quade. "This year our pitching and defense came together well to keep the other team from scoring."

The girls on the team improved immensely over the three months of the season, Quade said.

"It was incredible, especially considering there were three girls who never played ball before," he said.

Quade added that, at the beginning of the year, the team's hitting and fielding skills were not that strong, but the older girls really helped out and got the younger girls up to speed.

"The winning and losing takes care of itself. The real reward is seeing the improvement throughout the season." he said.

Regarding All-Stars, please check the respectful district links for tournament scores and schedules. 

Congratulations to the 10-11 Year Old Boys for winning the District/State Championship on July 16th against Boulder Arrowhead, 4-3.  The Heights came back to score 3 in the bottom of the 6th to knock off Boulder.  Way to go Boys!

The 9-10 Girls fell a little short against BABS to advance and host the State Championship, losing a best of 5 series, 3 games to 1.  We're still proud of you girls. 

The 9-10 Boys placed 2nd in the District 1 Tournament losing to Boulder Arrowhead, 3 - 1. 

The 11-12 Girls also took 2nd place losing to a tough BABS team.

The 11-12 Boy's, must win the next 4 games to advance on to the State Tournament at District 2's site. 

The Junior Boys will be playing in the Championship July 18 to advance to the State Tournament at District 2's site.

The Senior Boys as well fell a little short taking 3rd place in the District 1 tournament.  We are proud of all our Heights All Stars!

Questions have arose in regards to Fall Ball and when it will be starting.  From previous years, Fall Ball should be taking place sometime the first week of when school will start.  You can use the same registration form from the regular season of Heights National, or use the district registration form and mail in with $35.  Each child will play in the level or division for the 2009 season.  For example, a 12 year softball this year, would move up and play in the Junior/Senior Softball level.  An 8 year old who will move up to Minors or Majors would be playing in the 9-12 Majors Fall Ball Program.

 http://www.eteamz.com/mtdistrict1baseball/files/Fall_Baseball_Form_2007.pdf

COACHES/MANAGERS,

Please get your uniforms and equipment turned into your appropriate Player Agents.  The Player Agents will then get them turned into the Equipment and Uniform Managers.  This is always the worst time of the year that uniforms and equipment never get turned in.  Any uniforms not turned in will result in a fee to the players.

For the 2008 season, prizes are in the process of being picked up and bought.  The drawing for the 2008 season will not be held until after September 1st.  So if you have not gotten your raffles in, please drop them off at Crow Field concession stand, or mail them in to PO BOX 50535, 59105.  Sorry for the inconvenience and misprint that went out with the raffles.  Any one or business that are interested in donating for Raffle Prizes, please let us know. 

The following winners for the 2007 drawing were:

Jackie Shields - Square Firepit

Al Kincy - $75 Gift Certificate for Lake Hills Golf

Harold Messenbrink - $100 dollars courtesy of Northland Automotive

Susan Martin - $100 courtesy of Wal-Mart

Don Baxter - 6 Piece Patio Set

Jerry Ellis - $300 courtesy of B&B Tire, Co.

Randy Russell - BBQ Set courtesy of Wal-Mart, Lawn & Garden

Mike McElvain - Circular Firepit

Mike Huggard - I-Pod Nano

Kim LeFevre - 19" Flat Screen TV

The Bitterroot Complex still has plenty of work to be done.  Gates, and restringing fence is the next priority.  Anyone that can donate, or know of donations please let any board member know.  Anybody that has questions and wanting to help out please contact Red Atkeison at 671-4401 or email jamesatkeison@hotmail.com or contacting the league president, Tim Felchle at tfelchlemt@bresnan.net or 256-8228.  We are reaching out to numerous helpers and volunteers that can help make this a success and dream for our kids to play on.  So please get a hold of Red or Tim.

There are some photos uploaded under the Photo Album link to the left.  Please check them out as our progress at Bitterroot. We will continue to upload as more progress is being completed.

Good Earth Works Company and Gianan's has agreed to donate about a dozen trees and/or shrubs for planting throughout the Bitterrroot Complex.  Some trees have been planted already, if you have not already noticed.  We have heard great compliments on the construction of the berms (much like the major girls have) between the fields at Bitterroot.

Opening Day for the 2008 Spring Season was a HUGE SUCCESS!  Heights National kicked off with recognizing one of our great volunteers, Kevin Young, who recently passed away to cancer.  He was a great inspiration to our fellow little leaguers and will be remember to all who dedicated his time and effort to the League.  Kevin will be greatly missed. 

Angela Atkeison deserves a huge thank you for taking on such a big task on planning out the efforts to make the Opening Ceremonies a success.  So if you see her around, please make sure to give her a thank you!

As webmaster, my goal is to try and upload as many pictures as possible and make a few albums.  So those that take photos, please get them to me ASAP!  Those that already sent to me, I will try and get them posted as soon as I can!!!

As always, we need your help in volunteering in some capacity. Without you as parent(s), coaches, umpires, fundraisers, and groundskeepers, we could not have the quality program we have here in Billings.  So do your part and sign up for some activity when you go to registration.  Your help is always appreciated by Heights National and District as well.

Heights Fields NEED to be Maintained.......

Our league is reaching out to parents and volunteers to help benefit better fields for our kids in the upcoming 2009 season.  Check your fields ASAP, write down any repairs you want done, and bring to the next board meeting.  This way we can improve the maintanence.  Plan your work parties as soon as possible.  Better in the fall to take care of this problem, and before the snow flies, so we are not in "crunch" time before Opening Day in 2009.

The EVIL Goatheads are on the progress of becoming the little pests all over our fields at Clevenger and Bitterroot.  So, lets get those under control as soon as possible!!!!  Player Agents, call coaches up and get some parties working on getting them "GONE!"  I want to send out a huge applaud to Red Atkeison for controlling the much needed thorns and goatheads over at Bitterroot.  He is now known as the "Goathead King."  Thanks Red.  Keep it up!

Heights National would like to thank all the sponsors for the 2008 season, new and old.  Thanks for your continued support for the youth in the Heights community. 

We introduced a new option for sponsors in 2008.  This year we had given the option to have a 3.5' x 8' corrugated vinyl sign to be hung at any of the local baseball or softball fields.  Signs will be saved for future years and sponsorship fees will be reduced for all returning sponsors yearly.  It was a great response and much more committed business than expected.  Thanks to everyone who bought a sign, and if anyone wants to sponsor a sign and/or a team for next year, please contact Scott Felchle.

Contact Scott Felchle if you have any questions or about sponsoring any level for the 2009 season at sfelchle@bresnan.net or 861-2144.