Erindale Lions Little League: Parent Info

Today, when it comes to recreation and sports, it seems like children have more choices than ever – whether it’s team sports, individual sports, or just playing video games.

Below are just a few of the reasons Little League Baseball and Softball is the program of choice – by far – for more communities than any other youth sports organization in the world.

The World Series – A true World Series is played in four divisions of baseball and four divisions of softball, with four other tournaments advancing to state level. Making it to the granddaddy of all youth sports world championships, the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, happens to 16 communities around the world each year.

Instant Recognition - The words "Little League" have symbolized the very best in youth sports for more than six decades. Little League is played in more than 70 countries. This year, 40 Little League Baseball and Softball games of the International Tournament will be televised nationally on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. No other youth sports organization comes close.

Insurance– All players are covered by medical insurance.

Training – Little League offers clinics and seminars at various locations around the country each year for league officers, managers/coaches, and umpires.

Challenger Division – Little League has a Challenger Division for physically and mentally challenged players, giving every child a chance to be a Little Leaguer.

A healthy combination – At its core, the purpose of Little League is to provide a safe, fun, wholesome combination of recreation and competition to players ages 5-18 through regular season play among local teams. For those players whose skills are more advanced, the Little League International Tournament provides the largest sports tournament in the world, with more than 40,000 games played each summer on the road to the various World Series tournaments. (Compare this to "travel ball" or "elite teams" for which parents pay exorbitant amounts of money, and players get burned out.)

Education programs – Little League offers a variety of easy-to-implement programs for local leagues that help keep children safe, and make the game more fun for everyone: A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP), and the Little League Manager/Coach Education Program, just to name two.

Child protection – Through the innovative Little League Child Protection Program, Little League was the first national youth sports organization (and remains the ONLY national youth baseball/softball organization) to mandate background checks on managers, coaches and other key volunteers. But it doesn’t stop with a mandate. Little League provides leagues with advice on how to perform the checks simply, and affordably (free, in most cases).

"I could still recite the Little League Pledge today if you asked. It says win or lose, always do your best. That’s what I learned most from Little League Baseball." – Gary Carter

"Years ago, when I was playing on those dusty Little League fields in West Texas, I never dreamt I’d be President of the United States. … One of the things I did dream about, though, was making it to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the Little League World Series. … I equate Little League Baseball with good families." – Former U.S. President George W. Bush

Baseball Gloves vs. Baseball Mitts

The main difference between baseball gloves and mitts is that gloves have fingers and mitts don't. Mitts tend to do a better job of controlling balls that don't hit in the pocket and can aid scooping ground balls and short hops. First Base and Catcher are the only positions allowed to use mitts. For youth players 5 to 12 years old baseball gloves are designed for general use as players will play many different positions. As players get older and start playing specific positions more often you may want to select a glove designed for infield or for outfield. If you play both, select a glove for the position you will be playing most often. First Base and Catcher are the exception. Even at the youth level you can select a mitt designed specifically for these positions. A catcher should always use a catcher’s mitt as the design provides extra protection for the hand.

How to Measure Baseball Gloves

Fielders gloves and first base mitts are measured by starting at the top of the index finger of the glove down thefinger along the inside of the pocket and then out to the heal of the glove. A flexible tape measure has to be used,not a stiff ruler. Measure from the highest point on the glove (normally the index finger). Lay the tape measureacross the palm of the glove, so that it folds across and into the indenture, down to the heel of the glove. Professional baseball has a 12 inch maximum height for a glove, although this rule has not been strictly enforced.

Size

Use the chart include with this article as a general guideline for determining glove size. A glove should feel fairly snug when adjusted. Check to make sure the glove adjusts to your hand. Allow room for batting glove if you wearone. Except for pitchers, most players should wear a batting glove inside their fielder’s glove. The batting glove willabsorb most of the sweat from your hands, thus protecting the lining of your glove. Change the batting glove when it gets wet or rotted.

Sizing a Baseball Glove

5-6 General 10 to 10 ½ (youth model)

7-8 General 10 ½ to 11 (youth model)

9-12 General 11 to 11 ½ (youth model)

Teen/Adult Infield 11 to 11 ½

Teen/Adult Outfield 12 to 12 ½

Use this chart as a general guide for sizing a baseball glove

Glove Quality

Higher quality baseball gloves and mitts are usually distinguished by higher grade leather, better construction and better design. These work together to produce a glove or mitt that is durable and helps the ball into and out of the pocket. The highest quality gloves are usually made of heavy leather that will need some time to break-in and typically do not have palm pads or Velcro adjustments.

Youth Gloves

• Can you share your son or daughter?
  
  This means trusting the coach to guide your child's Erindale Little League experiences. It means accepting the coach's authority and the fact that he or she may gain some of your child's admiration that once was directed toward you.

• Can you admit your shortcomings?
  
  Sometimes we slip up as parents, our emotions causing us to speak before we think. We judge our child too hastily, perhaps only to learn later the child's actions were justified. It takes character for parents to admit they made a mistake and to discuss it with their child.

• Can you accept your child's disappointments?
  
  Sometimes being a parent means being a target for a child's anger and frustration. Accepting your child's disappointment also means watching your child play poorly during a game when all of his or her friends succeed, or not being embarrassed into anger when your 10-year-old breaks into tears after a failure. Keeping your frustration in check will help you guide your son or daughter through disappointments.

• Can you accept your child's triumphs?
  
  This sound much easier than it often is. Some parents, not realizing it, may become competitive with their daughter or son, especially if the youngster receives considerable recognition. When a child plays well in a game, parents may dwell on minor mistakes, describe how an older brother or sister did even better, or boast about how they played better many years ago.

• Can you give your child some time?
  
  Some parents are very busy, even though they are interested in their child's participation and want to encourage it. Probably the best solution is never to promise more than you can deliver. Ask about your child's Erindale Little league experiences, and make every effort to watch at least some games during the season.

• Can you let your child make her or his own decisions?
  
  Decisions making is an essential part of young person's development, and it is a real challenge to parents. It means offering suggestions and guidance but finally, within reasonable limits, letting the child go his or her own way. All parents have ambitions for their children, but parents must accept the fact that they cannot mold their children's lives. Little League offers parents a minor initiation into the major process of letting go.

Erindale Little League  is an entirely volunteer organization.  The League depends on adults like you to organize and conduct every aspect of it's operations. Not only do adults serve as administrators, volunteer coaches, and umpires they also help with field maintenance, fund-raising, and numerous other special projects. Parents are what make the program a quality experience for all our children. The Erindale Little League can only be as good as we, the parents, make it.

Click here to volunteer by sending an email to president@erindalellbaseball.ca

Without a doubt, Erindale Little League is a family affair that gives parents and children a common ground for spending time together. Whether you are coaching the players, or bringing a snack for the team after the game, your family will enjoy being a part of Erindale Little League. Most of all, you will appreciate the benefits of your enthusiasm and involvement in his or her activities.

When winning is kept in perspective, there is room for fun in the pursuit of victory or more accurately, the pursuit of victory is fun. With your leadership Erindale Little League can help your child learn to accept responsibilities, accept others and most of all, accept her - or himself.

Parents play a very important role in helping to shape a positive experience for players, coaches, umpires, and other parents!