Horizon Little League: Welcome

The 2012 postseason tournaments for Farm, Minors and Majors is now set. The Minors tournament began last week with first round wins from the Minors Cubs and Minors Yankees. Farm Playoffs begin on May 30 as does the double elimination Majors tournament.

The Majors Cubs repeated as the second half champions and will represent HLL in the Distrct 3 TOC. 

All playoffs brackets (match-ups, schedules and game scores) can be found under the tab "2012 Playoffs". The Farm, Minors and Majors division brackets are now posted.  

Good luck to all teams in this year's playoffs!

The Majors Division plays a first half and second half of the season to determine the division winner. The Majors Cubs won the first half and clinched the second half title with their 9-3 win last night over the Rays. The Cubs will represent Horizon Little League in the District 3 Tournament of Champions and will be the number 1 seed in the Majors HLL playoffs. Brackets will be posted after tomorrow nights games.

FIRST HALF STANDINGS:

Team                         Wins      Losses     Ties          

Cubs                             8              0                0 

Rays                             4              3                1

Cardinals                     4              4                0             

Tigers                          3               4                1                 

Diamondbacks           0               8                0                 

Team                     Wins        Losses        Ties

Postseason play is now underway in Horizon Little League and there are a number of events in the post season that HLL team's and players will participate in:

Horizon Little League Playoffs

Farm, Minors and Majors                       Championship Games on June 6 and June 8 (if needed)

District 3 Tournament of Champions

Majors Cubs representing HLL               Begins June 9

All Star Tournaments

9-10 year olds                                         Announce June 5, begins June 19

10-11 year olds                                       Announce June 15, begins June 29

Majors                                                     Announce June 15, begins between June 28 and July 5

Closing ceremonies for Horizon Little League are scheduled for the evening of June 16. Festivities will be held at Grayhawk Park and more details will be available soon on the website and through your team managers and team moms.

During registration, all parents sign and agree to the terms of the Parents Code of Conduct which outlines their role and responsibilities as a parent of a Little League player. It is critical to remember that the values of Little League are focused on the player and the player’s experience. At no time should the parent’s competitive nature be placed ahead of fair play and sportsmanship. The vast majority of parents faithfully adhere to the spirit of the code of conduct but several recent incidents drive us to issue this reminder.

Several key points of the code of conduct are:

• I will remember that children participate to have fun and that the game is for youth, not adults
• I will learn the rules of the game and the policies of the league
• I will not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct with any official, manager, coach, player or parent such as booing or taunting, refusing to shake hands, or using profane language or gestures.
• I will promote the emotional and physical well-being of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.

Any parent who exhibits improper conduct at a game or practice may be asked to leave the facility by a Board Member. Any ejection will result in a minimum of a parental one game suspension and may be subject to Board review for further action if needed. Repeat or severe violations of these items may result in multiple game suspensions or possibly the forfeiture of the privilege of attending all remaining games of the current season.

HLL as a long tradition of being a great community youth sports league with supportive parents, players, managers and coaches. Let’s work together to retain this extraordinary environment for our children.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS SPECIAL OFFERS

Dick’s Sporting Goods is offering some great deals to stock up on apparel and equipment for the upcoming season. The attached coupons (page 2) can be used at any Dick’s Sporting Goods location. Follow the link to download your coupons and league appreciation event flyer. http://bit.ly/horizonll_shopFeb4 Also, enter to win $500 in gift cards by entering Dick’s Sporting Goods MVP of the Week contest at http://www.dicksmvp.com.

Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is a national nonprofit organization committed to providing all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Horizon Little League is proud to partner with PCA to deliver enhanced training and development to coaches and managers in all divisions. Our partnership will provide on-line training for managers and coaches in addition to the baseball specific training they receive from Coach Eric Kibler in his coaching clinics. We believe that this additional investment in the development of our coaching staff will add to the experience that parents and players receive while participating in HLL. The PCA training includes:

• Professionally produced online courses of approximately 60-90 minutes featuring videos from top athletes and coaches including Phil Jackson, Doc Rivers, Julie Foudy and Dusty Baker
• Solutions that feature proven, research-based tools that can be easily and immediately implemented.
• Access to a specially designed website that provides tools and resources
• Informative and topical e-mails that provide ongoing reinforcement opportunities and continuing education
• Support for specific issues that may arise
• Tips on best practices from other partners

PCA courses are mandated by numerous national groups and endorsed by Little League International, US Lacrosse, USA Rugby and American Youth Soccer Organization. These courses receive rave reviews for their effectiveness and ease of use.

More information will be communicated to managers, coaches and parents as the season begins. Watch the website for updates and materials. For additional information about PCA and their success stories, please visit http://www.positivecoach.org/.

Horizon Little League is proud to announce a formal partnership with the Arizona Diamondbacks and their Lil’ DBacks program with the 2012 Spring Season. Our league membership provides great benefits for the league and all members including:

• One ticket for every player to the Little League Day game on 4/22 at Chase Field between the Diamondbacks and the Atlanta Braves (included in registration fee)
• Free seat upgrade option for players with family purchased tickets to this game.
• Parade on field prior to the game.
• Discounts to DBacks Academy camps and clinics.
• Membership for players to No Chew Crew and APS Renewables Kids Club (free Sunday tickets available for players through these clubs, see booth at Chase Field for details).
• Autographed Diamondbacks memorabilia, Diamondbacks suites, View Batting Practice Experience and premium seats available for purchase at the Opening Day auction.

The sale of tickets to the Little League Day game also generates funds for the league through our arrangement with the Diamondbacks. More information about tickets sales will be available after the start of the season.

Major League Baseball and the Arizona Diamondbacks have been long standing sponsors of Little League Baseball and we are pleased to deepen the relationship and the value it provides to our membership.