2008 President's Message

On behalf of the Board of Director's, I would like to welcome you to the 2008 season at Broad Ripple Haverford Little League.  Whether you are a new family to the league or a returning family, we sincerely appreciate your committment to, and participation at BRHLL.  We continue to build on the momentum of last year's 50th Anniversary year, from the Opening Day weekend kick-off, to facility improvements, to a large growth in the number of players.  With the growth in numbers, our facilities will certainly be put to the test.  Last year's major renovations to the concession stand provided better use, cosmetics, and security of the structure. 

I am pleased to welcome 36 teams, and over 430 players (> 10% growth) to the program this year.  We will feature nine teams in the softball program across three divisions, with the AAA division reinstituted after a one-year absence.  We also have 19 teams across three divisions in baseball, and our Rookie (tee-ball) division has exploded in popularity with eight full teams.  I wish all teams a successful season!

With this growth in numbers, our facilities will certainly be put to the test.  Last year, major renovations to the concession stand provided better use, cosmetics, and security of the structure.  This year, the concession stand is receiving a fresh coat of paint and more secure doors for the attached maintenance storage.  We are continuing the annual work to improve the playability and condition of the fields.  If you have a talent and/or interest in helping us continue our never-ending improvement initiatives, we welcome the help and support.

To the sponsors of our league, please accept my sincere gratitude.  As a non-profit organization, your contributions both in terms of financial, labor, or material support are vital to our ability to provide this service to the community.

And finally, to the many volunteers, thank you, thank you, thank you!  Be it as a manager, coach, umpire, team parent, league official, or any other capacity, this league would not function without all the hours logged by our strong volunteer base.  If you are considering becoming a board member or want to know how you can contribute even more to the league, please see me or any other member of the board.  Let's play ball!

Jack Mees,

President, BRHLL

BRHLL is a great place to play baseball.  One of the main reasons the league has thrived since 1958 is the support of individuals and businesses in and around the community.  This year the league grew to 36 teams and may continue to grow some in the future.  With this growth comes the necessity for additional sponsors and donors, and again this year the parents and community responded with open arms.

Along with 36 team sponsors, we have Diamond and Dugout sponsors, Friends of BRHLL Boosters, and some advertisers in the directory who have donated materials or their services to BRHLL.  When you page through the league directory, please keep in mind the names of all the sponsors and advertisers.  We encourage you to support them!

If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Doug McAuley at (317) 822-0690 or by e-mail at douglasrealty@sbcglobal.net.

The umpires we use at BRHLL are managers, coaches, parents, family members, district officials and other volunteers.  All umpires serve on a volunteer basis and are in no way paid for their service.  All umpires shall be given respect by all spectators, managers, coaches and players at all times.  Do NOT criticize...it's a tough job!  If you would like to volunteer to umpire, please contact Stacey Hoaglin at 255-6974 to choose your game and time slot. 

As we travel life's sometimes bumby road, we occassionally come into contact with someone who appears to wring more joy out of each day than seems possible.  These special individuals have a knack for allowing us to step back for a moment and see the lighter side, changing the grimace that we all frequently bring to our tasks into a smile.

John Clarke was one these special people.  The enthusiasm and joy with which he approached everything he did rubbed off on each of those that came away from each season having had more fun in baseball than they had ever before.  Whether it was drawing out the shy one, motivating the sullen one or calming the one filled with anger, John's touch was light and filled with laughter.  Each of the young men and women came away with an understanding that life need not always be a struggle against the current.

Late in 1990, all of us lost John.  He passed away from a heart attack.  Someone said it might be been because his heart was so full of the love of life that it failed him.  We are all poorer for having lost him.  Yet he enriched those of us he touched in a way that will be be remembered throughout the rest of our lives.  This richness can never be erased so long as we keep in mind how he approaced each day.

To keep his memory alive and among us as we work and play each season, the JOHN W. CLARKE MEMORIAL AWARD has been instituted.  One player who best exemplifies the qualities and attitude with which John lived each day will be chosen from every team.  Each of these young men and women will be presented with a medal which we hope will remind them that each day needs to be greeted with a smile.  Joy is something that we can best receive by working actively to give to others.  We thank John for the joy he gave to us, and we promise to keep his attitude alive.

From the Friends and Family of John

Date:  Friday, June 20th AND Saturday, June 21st 

Time:  5:00 PM to Midnight

Located at:  5884 N. Crittenden Avenue in Indianapolis, next to Bishop Chatard High School