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Wednesday, October 29 Recommended Reading for All LL Adults As we are about to go into a brief break between the TAD season and Spring season, I have a book that I really think every Board Member, Manager, Coach, Umpire and Parent should read. (Yes I do read something other than the rule book and ops manuals!) Life Lessons from Little League Revisited - A Guide for Parents and Coaches goes through the experiences of coach who through the years, look at situations that came up through his time as a Tee-Ball and Minor Coach (and parent) and also followed up on them years later. How the players (and a couple of parents) experiences shaped their lives. For example: Dr. Fortanasce talks of his first time picking up a ball to play catch with his son. "Vinny stood there with a grin and pounded his tiny fist into the glove as he had seen me do so many times." The first throw was a perfect throw back. The second was a little off the mark..."My next toss was a little harder. Vinny scooped it up again, but this time he threw it ten feet wide." "A bad throw is an error, I told him, which was very bad. It would let a man on base, and a potentional run to be scored." The third throw was off the mark. Then, Dr. Fortanansce told his son of getting in front of the ball and not let it get by him. "If you do, it's an error, AN ERROR." "Another toss. Vinny picked it off as I had told him to, but instead of throwing the ball back, he just held it. "Vinny, throw me the ball," I yelled. He merely looked at me and shook his head no." "Dad," he said. "let's go. I don't want to make any errors." The link will take you to Amazon where the book is available on line. I don't know if it's available at book stores, but I think it is. My wife got it for me about a year ago. I finally got a chance to read it this summer. When I did, I thought back to the days of when I was coaching. Granted, I had the teenage levels, but saw MANY of the same things even at that level. So during the break, and the nice cool weather in the evenings, take a little time and read this before the spring season. Mark Monday, August 25 2008 Pre-Season Fall Clinics Cactus Camps has been a significant supporter of teaching the players in District Three and not only teaching kids the game of baseball, but also supports the Mission of LL.
Info: We are putting on this event for District 3 Little League players. This is a great clinic for those who want to gain an edge in the mental & physical aspects of the game & prepare for the upcoming fall season. Coaches from the league are encouraged to participate in this clinic & rotate through our work stations. Date/Time: September 6th & 13th from 8am-12pm. Location: Gold Dust Elementary/Nancie Lane Park, 3602 E. Cholla St, Phoenix, AZ 85028 Ages/Cost: 6-16 years of age, $75 for both clinics. Registration: Click here to be sent to the info/registration page- http://cactuscamps.com/?p=330 To see more of what we offer please go to our website: www.cactuscamps.com Monday, August 25 Arizona District Three LL September Meeting Where: Catch 22 Sports Grill When: September 8, 2008 Time: 7:00 p.m. Discussed will be what the process is for the transistions between the 2007-2008 boards and the 2008-2009 boards. The Training and Developement Season will also be discussed. Thursday, August 28 Arizona State Academy The Arizona District Administrators Association is having it's third Arizona State Little League Academy. Attached is information on the conference. It is recommened that all leagues send at least one board member to this conference. It will also give you a chance to meet with other leagues, DA's, Western Region staff and Little League Headquarters staff. Sunday, August 10 Training & Development (TAD) aka Fall Ball Leagues are preparing for the 2008 Training and Development Season. Not all leagues in District Three have a TAD season, however, the Little League Residency Requirements are still required for participants. All players must live in the league in which they reside to play in th TAD program, EVEN if a neighboring league does not have the program. The TAD season should be a TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT season. No standings, no stats and no Champions. The season should be used to work with players to prepare them for the 2009 Spring season. The league has to decide which age chart to use - either the past season 2008 Age Chart or the upcoming 2009 Age Chart - BUT NOT BOTH. Interleagues still must complete the Interleague Application which must be approved before play begins. If you are trying to find out if a league is haveing TAD, please check the links above for the league information. Additional Arizona LL Information Not finding a where you live on the maps with the District 3 site? This link is another tool to see if you can find a league that you live in. Friday, May 30 Touch Them All - More ways than just a Home Run This is a link to a story by ESPN about an act of Character in a game between two college softball teams, Central Washington and Western Oregon. The actions of one team actually cost them the game, but made them the true winners.
Wednesday, May 14 Rule Myths Click on the link for a look at the most common "myths" on rules. For example - a player gets hit on the hands - are the hands considered part of the bat...read on... Western Region Website For news on Western Region Trainings, and even helpful hints on procedures for local league elections, and much more. Too Much Baseball? Steve Keener, CEO LLBB, Inc. This column by Little League International President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen D. Keener, is reprinted from the 2005 Little League Baseball World Series Program. What's Little League About? The Mission of Little League Through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the Little League Baseball and Softball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes. Founded in 1939; granted Federal Charter July 16, 1964, by unanimous act of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States of America and signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as Public Law 88-378, 88th Congress H.R. 9234, and amended December 26, 1974, Public Law 93-551, 93rd Congress, H.R. 8864. Little League is tax exempt. Parents Coached On Sport Pitfalls Very interesting article from the Tampa Bay Times. It follows a lot with the attempt to put on a Parents Training program with TEPP the past couple of years. After reading the article, ask yourself the questions the speaker asked. I've coached, been a board member, and been on District Staff for over 20 years. In both my Little League League career, and years I've volunteered, I have seen only 2 players make it to Major League Baseball, 2 players to Triple A ball. In District 3, there are over 6000 kids playing Little League. That is less than 1% who make pro ball. Please read the article. Coach's/Manager's Role What's the role of a Manager or Coach in Little League? Select the link for Little League's definition. The Little League manager and coach must be leaders. All must recognize that they hold a position of trust and responsibility in a program that deals with a sensitive and formative period of a childs development. Why Can't I Play in That League? One of the most frequent calls District receives from parents is "Why can't my kid play in that league?" Each league has a specific boundary in which they can sign up players as defined in Little League Regulation II. The boundaries are primarily defined by population. Boundaries are not determined by the local school boundaries. These can at times change every year. So, yes, in some cases, two leagues might be drawing kids from one school. Boundaries are also approved by the local league board of directors. The league is regulated to sign up players who live only within their respective boundaries. There are two exceptions under the Regulation that allow players who currently live outside a local league's boundaries. The II (d) Waiver allows a player who played in the local league and lived within the leagues boundaries, and has moved outside the leagues boundaries, to continue to play in that league, the Board can request a waiver. The other is the IV (h), which allows a parent who has been a manager, coach, volunteer umpire or board member for the previous three years, and is continuing that volunteer service, the Board can request a waiver. All waivers require the approval of the District Administrator and are filed with Western Region Headquarters. There are no "babysitter" waivers, "best friend" waivers. There are only two requirements to play in League League. The player lives within the boundaries and is of the age to play in their respective divisions. The league can request proof of these requirements, such as a utility bill that shows the address of service. (Another article will explain age requirements.) These regulations are not designed to keep players out of a league, but protect a local league's players who live within their boundaries. |
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