LETS PLAY 2   



WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT 8 NEW JERSEY WEB SITE. OUR DISTRICT, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF RICH FRANCO, HAS SERVED THE YOUTH OF ESSEX COUNTY FOR OVER 40 YEARS. THE DISTRICT COVERS LITTLE LEAGUE, SENIOR AND JUNIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

CHECK "LINKS" AT LEFT FOR  MENU FOR SEC. AND STATE GAME SCHEDULES

April 23, 2008   TOURNAMENT BULLETIN Dear Little League District Administrators, League Presidents and League Officials:   The Little League International Tournament Committee has made the following modifications to the 2008 Tournament Rules and Guidelines in baseball and softball. These changes, recommended by the Little League President's Advisory Committee and the Little League International Board of Directors, are in effect as of today.   Participation in Other Programs - The rule that prohibits players  from participating in non-Little League programs (dual participation), once Little League tournament play has begun, has been rescinded at all levels of play for baseball and softball. However, the local Little League retains the right to dismiss a player from a tournament team if the player repeatedly misses games and practices.   Big League - The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 17 (increased from 15).   Senior League - The maximum number of players that can be named on a tournament team affidavit is now 16 (increased from 14).   In the case of the first item above, it remains Little League International's position that a local Little League should expect that players it selects for this honor will make playing for the Little League Tournament Team their priority.   For the other two items, the maximum number has been increased because of the nature of play in these divisions. With players in these age groups also having jobs or other responsibilities, this gives managers more flexibility to ensure that games are not delayed or forfeited because of the lack of players.   Sincerely, Patrick W. Wilson Vice President of Operations Little League International P.O. Box 3485 539 US Route 15 Hwy Williamsport, PA  17701-0485 Phone: 570-326-1921 Fax: 570-326-1074

2008 Meeting Dates and Guidelines for Tournament Thursday, March 6            General Meeting              7:00 Wednesday, May 28           Tournament Picks           7:30 Friday, June 20          Affidavits (12’s & Jr / Sr only)   6:00-9:00 Monday, June 23      Coaches meeting (12’s & Jr / Sr only) 7:30                Wednesday, June 25      Affidavits (10’s & 11’s only) 6:00-9:00    Wednesday, July 9      Coaches meeting (10’s & 11’s only) 7:30 2008 Tentative starting Dates for District Tournaments  11-12 Year old Tournament        June 27 10-11 Year old Tournament        July 10 or 11 Jr / Sr Tournament     TBA (Depending on amount of teams)  Guidelines for Eligibility to Enter Tournament Play Must attend pick meeting (May 28) and have non refundable payment for each level you plan to participate in. Fee will stay the same at $250 per level. If you do not attend the meeting or have the monies, you will be excluded from tournament play. There will be no extension for affidavits as in past years. If you don’t have all the proof on the meeting night, you will be excluded from the bracket. All waivers are due no later than June 1. 

Dear District Administrators, League Presidents and Officials: The New England Sports Network (NESN) and Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) have partnered with Little League International to televise several games of the New England and Mid-Atlantic Little League Baseball regional tournament games this August. The ESPN family of networks will once again televise the respective regional championship games, with NESN and MSG combining their production resources to provide exclusive coverage of early-round games to millions of viewers in the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. The New England Regional Tournament begins on Aug. 1 and concludes with the Championship Game on Aug. 9. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament dates are Aug. 1-11. You can see the full story here.

Sincerely, Little League International 539 U.S. Route 15 Hwy P.O. Box 3485 Williamsport, PA  17701-0485 Phone: 570-326-1921 Fax: 570-326-1074

March 6, 2008  Dear District Administrators and District Staff: Little League International will soon announce an all-new FREE web-based resource for Little League managers and coaches. At the bottom of this message is your complimentary district code, which will allow you to log in to the site and see all that it offers. Please familiarize yourself with the content and make the Little League Coach Resource Center a topic at future meetings in your district. Administrators in your leagues will receive a similar message in a few days urging them to encourage coaches to log in to the site. Great coaching is no accident. It starts with a love for the game. It grows from a strong desire to give children the tools they need to succeed on the field and in life. And it can happen in any league, with any team, anywhere in the world. That’s why Little League International created LittleLeagueCoach.org. Expert advice from renowned players and coaches; video demonstrations; skills development drills and exercises: At LittleLeagueCoach.org, Little League managers and coaches can get all the tools they need to start their season right or build on what they already have in place. And it’s free. Little League International considers providing these tools so important to our youth and so important to the success of your leagues that it has decided to offer them without any charge. Unlike some other youth sports organizations’ coaching programs, it won’t cost any Little League manager or coach a dime to access the exclusive content and resources at LittleLeagueCoach.org. To ensure that this site benefits Little League managers and coaches, we ask you, our top volunteers, again to promote the Little League Coach Resource Center to your leagues. Furthermore, we hope you will join us in encouraging any managers and coaches you meet to use this dynamic resource. As experts weigh in with advice and tips, and as new resources become available, these team leaders will find the help and information they need to coach effectively and create lasting positive memories for their players. LittleLeagueCoach.org Great Coaching Starts Here. Free. Your LittleLeagueCoach.org District Authorization Code: 121924 Little League International P.O. Box 3485 539 US Route 15 Hwy Williamsport, PA  17701-0485 Phone: 570-326-1921 Fax: 570-326-1074

Little League Homepage  Volume 25 - Issue No. 1 January 2008

This month in Little Leaguer: Welcome to the first issue of the Little Leaguer E-Newsletter for 2008! In this issue, you’ll find must-know information on … The Little League Road Shows coming to a town near you Joe Losch, after four decades of service, is honored at his retirement Information on new rule changes A new online Little League store is about to open Walter O’Malley and Bowie Kuhn elected to Baseball Hall of Fame Little League World Series wins national travel award … and much more!   Little League Road Show Coming to a Town Near You The popular “Little League Road Showâ€? is back again, with visitations from Little League International and Regional personnel coming to a town near you!  Check the Little League web site for updates. See the Road Show story here. Joe Losch Honored for Four Decades of Service Just weeks away from completing his 39th year with Little League Baseball and Softball, Senior Vice President Joe Losch was the guest of honor at a retirement dinner hosted by the Little League International staff recently. See all the details here. New Little League Store Coming Soon Whether you need a jacket, hat, scorebook, or pins, the new Little League on-line store is coming soon. Keep watching the Little League web site (www.LittleLeague.org) for the new store to become active. It will be easier than ever to get all the items you need and want for the 2008 Little League season. Two Great Friends of Little League Elected Posthumously to Baseball Hall of Fame Little League International joins the baseball community in celebrating the posthumous election of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley and former Major League Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. Check out the story and photos here. Little League World Series Wins SportsTravel Award The Little League Baseball World Series was recently named “Best Amateur Sports Event, Series or Circuitâ€? in the annual SportsTravel magazine Readers’ Choice Awards. The award is nominated and voted on by SportsTravel readers. The Readers’ Choice Awards recognize excellence in sports event management and production. See the story here. Check Out Latest Rule Changes There are a few new rules and regulations going into effect for the 2008 season in Little League Baseball and Softball. The new rule books have been printed and are being shipped to districts and leagues now, but you can see the changes on-line here. ChoicePoint Offers Birth Certificate Service Providing yet another benefit for local Little League volunteers and parents, ChoicePoint offers an express birth certificate service through its VitalChek program. If a parent in your league is in need of this service, simply direct them to the front page of the Little League web site (www.LittleLeague.org), and have them click on “Obtaining Birth Records.â€? Reminder: New Rule on Disengage-Able Bases Now in Effect For the past two years, we’ve been telling district and local league volunteers about the new rule in effect for 2008 regarding disengage-able bases. It’s an easy process to install the bases, and will make the game safer for the children of your Little League. Check out the details here. Little League Position on Non-Wood Bats Recent news stories dealing with non-wood bats have led to many inquiries on the subject, so Little League International has put together the data you need to make an informed decision. Stay up-to-date on this issue by checking out the facts here. New Little League Equipment and Supplies Catalog Now Available Now is the perfect time to check out the 2008 edition of Little League’s Equipment and Supplies Catalog. The 48-page, full-color publication is the definitive source for everything league officials, managers, team parents and others need to make 2008 a rousing success. For more info click here. “Pitch In For Baseballâ€? Helps Little League Urban Initiative Pitch In For Baseball, Little League’s equipment donation partner, continues to expand the ways in which it is supporting the growth of Little League Baseball and Softball. Learn more about how Pitch In For Baseball is helping kids in urban communities learn to love the game by clicking here. Preserve Your Little League Memories with SharedBook Even if your team did not make it to a World Series, parents can preserve those great memories with SharedBook, through a special arrangement with Little League Baseball and Softball. To learn more about this fun way to keep those memories alive, click here. Ryan Howard: MVP On and Off the Field Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard made a visit to the 2007 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., recently, meeting with fans and players, signing autographs and telling stories of his life as a baseball player. Check out the details here. ASAP Safety Newsletters Now Available Online! Every issue of the ASAP Safety Program Newsletter, from October 1998 to the present, is now available for viewing or download directly from Little League Online!  (see download instructions on the ASAP newsletter page).     Coach's Box Newsletter Now Available! Little League's newest online publication is now available.  Click here to see the latest issue.

From: headquarters@littleleague.org
To: richtheump98@aol.com
Sent: 11/30/2007 8:06:53 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Bulletin from Little League International

Nov. 30, 2007   Dear Little League Volunteers: A recent change in staffing will alter the way issues involving the Challenger Division are handled at Little League International.   David James, now the director of the Urban Initiative and Challenger Division, will assume the duties formerly held by Jim Ferguson as it relates to matters involving the Challenger Division – Little League’s division for mentally and physically disabled children.   Mr. Ferguson will become the assistant director of risk management.   “Jim has done an outstanding job at the helm of the Challenger Division,â€? Patrick Wilson, vice president of operations, said. “But his expertise is needed full time in the risk management department. With David assuming the Challenger Division role, it brings those issues under the umbrella of the operations division.â€?   Mr. James has been employed at Little League International for 10 years – seven as director of the Urban Initiative. Mr. Ferguson has been employed at Little League International for 19 years as director of the Challenger Division, while being assigned to the risk management department.   As always, thank you for your service to the children and families of your community.   Sincerely, Little League International P.O. Box 3485 539 US Route 15 Hwy Williamsport, PA  17701-0485 Phone: 570-326-1921 Fax: 570-326-1074

From: headquarters@littleleague.org
To: richtheump98@aol.com
Sent: 1/14/2008 6:00:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: The Fairball Newsletter - January 2008

If you have trouble viewing this e-mail, Click Here Volume 14 - Issue No. 1 January 2008                                                                                                 Little League Homepage  2008 Umpire Schools/Clinics Eastern Region -  Bristol, CT  eastregion@littleleague.org 860-585-4730 Umpire Clinic – Feb. 9 –10 Umpire School – Mar. 26 – 30 Umpire School – Apr. 2 – 6 Umpire School – Sept. 17 – 21 Southern Region -  St. Petersburg, FL  southregion@littleleague.org 727-344-2661 Umpire Clinic – Jan. 11 –13 Umpire Clinic – Mar. 15 – 16 3&4 Man Mechanics -April/May Central Region -  Indianapolis, IN  centralregion@littleleague.org 317-897-6127 Umpire Clinic – Feb. 8 –10 Baseball/Softball Rules Clinic – Mar. 15 – 16 Umpire School – Apr. 20 – 25 Umpire Clinic at Missouri Road Show in Joplin, MO March 7-8 Southwest Region -  Waco, TX  southwestregion@littleleague.org 254-756-1816 Regional Umpire Advisory Meeting – Jan. 17 Umpire School – Jan. 18 – 20 Rules Seminar – Feb. 16 Western Region -  San Bernardino  westregion@littleleague.org 909-887-6444 Umpire School #1 – Jan. 12 –18 Umpire School #2 – Jan. 19 –25 Mechanics Clinic – Jan. 25 –27 Rules Clinic – Feb. 26 – 27 Junior Umpire School – June 21– 27 Little League Headquarters -  Williamsport, PA  akonyar@littleleague.org 570-326-1921 Umpire Clinic – Mar. 29 –30 Umpire School – Apr. 13 – 18 Umpire Clinic – Sept. 13 – 14   As you can see there are still opportunities for you to improve your umpiring. Why not make plans to attend one of these clinics or schools? Contact your Regional Headquarters for more information.   Welcome to the New Fairball e-Newsletter   As we move forward with the new electronic newsletter, how are we doing? What can we do to help you as a volunteer umpire? What would you like to see included in the newsletter? Let me know and we will see if we can accommodate you and make the newsletter bigger and better. Send your comments and/or recommendations to me at: akonyar@littleleague.org. This newsletter will only be as good as you make it.   This Month's Stump The Ump Think you got a handle on the rules. Check out these questions and see how well you do. Good luck. Click Here   Rule 7.13 Don Essex, VA #9 It’s the bottom of the sixth, and the hometown Wildcats are down by one. The opposing pitcher of the rival Padres has loaded the bases, and his manager is hoping for a miracle, because he has no other pitcher. Find out here. Stranger in Paradise (Reprinted with Pictures) By Tom Rawlings PA  District 14 Every so often in our pursuit of baseball paradise, the stars align correctly and the baseball gods smile down on us. This was the case for me in the summer of 2007.  I hit the “Daily Doubleâ€?. The following is my meager attempt to re-cap my experiences from July 22 to Aug. 18. Read more here.   What To Do? Don Essex, VA #9 (Believe it or not, this is a true story. The names have been changed to reduce the children’s’ embarrassment.) The two top Majors teams are playing……score is tied in the 3rd inning. Find out more.   Official Communications Thinking about conducting an umpire clinic for your district or league? Want to brush up on rules and mechanics for your own information? There are now videos available to help you with those training or brush- up sessions. “Rules Made Easyâ€? with a workbook, “See A Balk, Call a Balkâ€?, “Basic Umpire and the Two Umpire System, 60’ Diamond Mechanicsâ€?, “Behind the Plate with John McSherryâ€? and for your scorekeepers clinic, “How to Keep Score in Baseball & Softballâ€?. Interested? Call Al Kaplon at 805-496-8123. Or mail your order into Official Communications, 2899 Agoura Rd #172, Westlake Village, CA 91361. You can also order on-line at www.videoump.com. These are outstanding videos and should be in every umpire’s library. Al and his videos are licensed with Little League Baseball, Inc. Give Al a call and add these videos to your library. Al’s videos are also available through the Little League Baseball Order Department at 570-326-1921 ext. 361 or 362. Thinking about some new equipment for the 2008 campaign? Need a new chest protect or shin guard     DISTRICT 8 NEW JERSEY View Our Guestbook | Sign Our Guestbook 0 visitors have signed our guestbook.         Web Sites Instruction Community   Local Sites Spotlight Sites epointz Contest Build a Web Site Tips and Drills Sport Tip Email Customer Support News & Updates Bulletin Boards Camps & Clinics Tournaments Coaches' Corner     "Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." - St. Francis De Sales     Copyright © 2008, eteamz.com, Inc User Agreement