Maine District Three Little League Umpires: Welcome

As the new season is getting near, it is time to dig out your uniforms and equipment to make sure everything is in good condition. By checking all of your stuff- you can now replace items that aren't in good shape, before the season starts.

Here are some tips:

~ Check your shoes for cleanliness (even under the protective toe), condition of laces (you probably need new ones), checked for cracked leather and the condition of the soles. Do they need some polish?

~ Check your pads (chest and leg) for cleanliness, mold, mildew - are all straps and buckles in good condition?

~ Check your mask for cracks in the cage, padding condition, throat guard & straps. If you don't remember the last time you changed your pads, maybe you should think about it now

~ Ball bags, indicators, brushes - All in good condition?

~ Uniforms - Do they all fit? Are the colors what they are supposed to be? Are they worn? Are your hats in good condition? Do you have the proper patches/logos? 

A good pre-season check will ensure that you are ready to go for your first assignment. During the early spring, many vendors offer specials on baseball gear - now is the time to buy!

Have a good season.

Little League Baseball and Softball has always been at the forefront regarding the safety and well-being of children.

In an effort to provide all Little League personnel with the most current information on concussions, the youth baseball organization has created an informational page on its website that also includes links to training information and ways to recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion.

As the assessment and treatment of concussions and concussion-like symptoms has evolved, many states have enacted laws designed to educate people about concussions, and protect the health and safety of young athletes. 

Little League International has compiled a summary of all currently-existing and proposed state laws regarding concussions. The summary of concussion-related state laws can be found at: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/programs/childprotection/concussions.htm.

Some state laws are only applicable to school-sponsored athletics, or to activities taking place on school-owned property. Other laws are applicable to all youth sports organizations, whether, or not, they are affiliated with a school district.
 
It is strongly-recommended that local leagues consult with legal counsel in their jurisdiction to determine the applicability of state laws regarding concussions occurring while children are participating in the Little League program.

Not every state has adopted concussion laws and not every state's concussion law is applicable to a local Little League program. Nevertheless, in keeping with its focus on protecting the health, safety and welfare of children, Little League Baseball and Softball strongly encourages all leagues and teams to not only comply with any applicable state laws, but also to review the information and training materials on concussions which is available (free of charge) on the Centers For Disease Control website. The latest concussion information from the Centers for Disease control can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html.

It is essential that each league review this material in order to understand its responsibilities regarding when and how to address concussions.

The 2012 Little League rulebooks have arrived and are available for purchase. As in previous years, the retail price for each of the three books (Baseball, Softball and Challenger Division) is $7 each.

As always, local leagues will receive a supply of free rulebooks (one per team) when applying for their annual charter. The support of our National Sponsors allows us to provide these to you.

Orders can be made in person; by phone (1-800-874-2852); or through the Little League On-Line Store, at: www.LittleLeagueStore.net. Shipping and additional charges will apply for all phone or Internet sales.

If a League President or District Administrator wishes to order more rulebooks at a discounted rate, he or she may do so by:

1. Presenting their League or District ID Number in person at the Little League Store on the Little League International Complex in South Williamsport, Pa. (price reduced to $2).
2. Presenting their League or District ID Number by telephone when calling the Little League Store (price reduced to $2).
3. Presenting their League or District ID Number in person at one of Little League’s five region headquarters in the United States (Eastern - Bristol, Conn.; Southeastern - Warner Robins, Ga.; Central - Indianapolis; Southwestern - Waco, Texas; Western - San Bernardino, Calif. - price reduced to $2).

The rules also are available electronically. The Little League E-Rules may be ordered by anyone for $20, and allows the purchaser to place a copy of the Baseball, Softball and Challenger Rule Books on any two computers.

Those League Presidents or District Administrators who present a League/District ID Number by one of the three methods listed above will receive a discount of $10 for every additional E-Rules subscription ordered. (District Administrators receive one free copy each.)

In the coming weeks, the 2012 Little League Baseball, Little League Softball and Little League Challenger Division rules and regulations also will be available through a mobile phone application created by FunMobility, a licensee of Little League Baseball and Softball. The app will be available for purchase on the Android marketplace and on iTunes.