Kentucky State Little League: Ky State Little League News

Batter up!

Area youth gets big time opportunity

By TIM PRESTON - The Independent

FLATWOODS — Kentucky’s designated athlete for the first annual tee-ball on the South Lawn All-star Game at the White House is truly a little slugger.

Emilee Baldridge, 5, didn’t need the help of a tee to smack the ball well over second base Saturday as she got in a bit of batting practice with her dad, Buddy Baldridge. Waiting for his next throw, she tapped home base with her pink bat and put on a game face which would make any pro player proud.

“Her first word was ‘ball.’ That’s all she would say forever,” said her mother Connie as she watched the pint sized player bring her bat to the ready position. “She has always loved any kind of ball, except football. She watches baseball and basketball on TV with her dad.”

Connie Baldridge said her little girl seems to love everything to do with baseball.

“When she’s not on the field she’s at the hot dog stand,” she said with a giggle.

Emilee was selected as Kentucky’s tee-ball player for the big game at the White House after officials read a 300 page essay drafted by local league president John Montanez, her parents said. When told about the chance to play on the White House lawn, her mother said she wasn’t too concerned about meeting the president, although she did ask if she would get to meet Corey, the title character from the Disney Channel’s Corey in the House.

The Baldridges, who are both baseball coaches, expressed their appreciation to the Flatwoods Little League group for funding the three-day trip to the nation’s capital. Connie Baldridge said the girls in her office played a trick on her when they found out Emilee had been selected to play in the All-star game, telling her there was an emergency phone call and giving her a fright before delivering the good news.

“We’re ecstatic,” she said. “It is such an honor to get to go. After the game she will get to shake hands with the president and get an autographed ball from him. And, there’s a picnic on the White House lawn following that.”

A naturally shy child, Emilee’s mother said she wonders if her little girl will freeze up when it comes time to be photographed. The young slugger has learned many lessons from watching her dad’s team play, however, and her mom expects she will “put on her game face” when the action begins.

As a player, both parents agree Emilee, “is all about batting. She keeps her eye on the ball.”

The tee ball on the South Lawn All-star Game will be played July 16, with one player from every state and the District of Columbia. That game, as well as several other Little League games, are played at the invitation of President George W. Bush, who is the first U.S. President to have played Little League baseball. This year’s games will be the 19th series to be played on the White House lawn.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651. 

Kevin Hunter's Little League Rules Index

Kevin Hunter, the District Umpire Consultant for Florida District 9, has created an index designed to help you locate the specific rule, rules and/or regulations that cover a particular situation. You can find the website in the Links section.

Nine Field Directors Nominated for Election to Little League International Board of Directors

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (April 16, 2007) – At the 24th Little League International Congress in Houston, Texas, nine field directors were nominated by their region’s volunteers to serve a three-year term as a member of the Little League International Board of Directors.

Ana Florencia Piñeros de Pelaez of Barranquilla, Colombia, representing the Latin American Region, is the third female to be nominated for a seat on the board directors, joining current members Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour and Sally John. Mrs. Piñeros de Pelaez is the first female district administrator (DA) to be nominated for election, a position she has held for 20 years.

Joining Mrs. Piñeros de Pelaez as field directors nominated from international regions are Kenji Kimura (Asia and Pacific Region) from Tokyo, Japan; Douglas MacKenzie (Canada Region) of Nova Scotia, Canada; and Italy’s Giuseppe Guilizzoni (Europe, Middle East and Africa Region).

Nominated to represent Little League Baseball and Softball’s five regions in the United States are, John Roll (Central); David Ruotolo (East); Paul Flanagan (South); Ferris Maness (southwest) and Robert Fleming (West).

Mr. Roll, a native of Kentucky, played his first Little League season in 1951. Following graduation from the program his volunteer service has included time as a coach, manager, league president, assistant district administrator, and has been a district administrator for 18 years. He also has served on the Central Region Advisory Committee.