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

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. 

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.

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. 

The Mission of Little League

Little League Baseball, Incorporated is a non-profit organization whose mission is to "to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League Baseball and Softball."

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.