Two key events in November will help all leagues in Distict 32 to better prepare for the 2010 season.

On November 12, District 32 will host its annual vendor show. Returning again this year to the Holiday Inn-Miramar, this annual show is a great way for leagues to visit with vendors from a wide variety of categories, all in one place and all in one night. Everyone is invited to come and see exhibits from uniform suppliers, photographers, equipment companies, snack bar suppliers and a wide variety of fundraising ideas.

This is the only show of its kind within our District, and the more representatives from each league that attend the better it is for your league, the District and the vendors. Invite parents, coaches, friends and neighbors. The more the merrier. And, be sure to stick around for some great door prizes!

The show will run from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. The Holiday Inn is located at Kearny Villa Road and I-15. Simply take I-15 to the Miramar Road exit, and the hotel is on the south side of Miramar Road, immediately west of the freeway.

The second big event this fall is our second annual District Roundtable, to be held Tuesday, November 17 at QinetiQ North America, 4250 Pacific Highway. This exciting event will be an opportunity for all board members from every league in our District to come together on one evening to share our knowledge and experience.

In addition to gaining insights into how each league fits into the "big picture" of our District and Region, each board member will have an opportunity to meet with those from the other leagues in our District who hold the same roles as they do. Both new and experienced volunteers will benefit from the chance to exchange ideas, successes and concerns, offering the best training possible to prepare for the 2010 season.

Board members who need to attend this event include: President, Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, Manager Reps, Field Coordinators, Snack Bar Coordinators, Information Officers/Webmasters, Equipment & Uniform Coordinators and Fundraising/Sponsor Reps. This meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at QinetiQ, located in the Sports Arena/Old Town area. Come early to sign in so we can start on time.

If you have any questions about either of these upcoming events, your league president can share additional information.

Our fun annual "winter ball" season began games on Sunday, September 13. Games are played on Sunday afternoons, and run through November 22.

Games are instructional and non-competitive, and are ideal for players who may be advancing from one level to the next in the spring. Click on the "Leagues & Links" button to the left and find your league for more information on their winter ball program.

Schedules and information for leagues participating in the District 32 Winterball program can be found by clicking on the Handout below (this includes rules, guidelines, safety information).

Any questions? Email our District Winter Ball Coordinator Carrie Abel: carrie.abel@gmail.com

Park View's Little Leaguers, from Chula Vista, CA, are champions of the Little League world.

With a come-from-behind 6-3 victory over Chinese Taipei on Sunday, August 29, Park View captured the Little League World Series, becoming only the second team from San Diego County to ever reign as World Champions. This capped a weekend where they won the United States Championship with a dominant 12-2 victory over San Antonio, Texas, the only team to defeat them during the tournament in Williamsport, PA.

Their electrifying 11-10 comeback win over Warner Robbins, GA on August 26 set up the final weekend's achievements, which captivated viewers and fans, not just in Chula Vista, not just in San Diego County, but all over the country.

Park View, from District 42 in Chula Vista, captured the Sub-Division III Tournament hosted by Clairemont Hilltoppers during their tournament run, and went on to win the Southern California Divisional Championship. They then won the ultimate Little League trip... to Williamsport, PA and the Little League World Series, sweeping through the West Regional tournament and winning the final 11-4 over Northern California on August 16.

With wins in all six of their games at the West Regional in San Bernardino, Park View dominated the tournament, scoring double digits in all six games they played. The championship game, televised nationally on ESPN2, was very close for four innings, before Park View erupted for eight runs in the last two innings. Park View broke longstanding records in both the World Series (with 19 homers in six games) and the West Regional (where they clobbered an astounding total of 38 home runs in six games).

Park View becomes the first San Diego County team since El Cajon/La Mesa Northern in 1961 to capture the Little League World Series. 

Park View's road through this tournament season was exciting, but not without a few bumps. They lost a game in their initial District tournament to Sweetwater Valley Little League, before bouncing back to sweep through that tournament, as well as their Section 7 tournament. In the Subdivision tournament at Hilltoppers, they won their first game against Corona National, 14-4, but had to eke out a 5-4 win over Rancho Santa Margarita in the semifinals, before breezing to the championship with a 16-1 win over the same Rancho Santa Margarita team.

That title brought them to Encino for the best-two-of-three divisional final the weekend of August 1-3 against Torrance Little League. On Saturday, August 1, Park View fell behind early, and all of the wheels came off in an 18-0 loss to Torrance. They bounced back, however, posting a nail-biter 7-6 win on Sunday, and followed that with a 19-12 slugfest win on Monday, August 3.

Congratulations to our friends from Parkview and District 42 for bringing the Little League World Series Championship back to San Diego County!

Longtime District 32 umpire Ed West had the honor of working the Little League West Region championship tournament in San Bernardino in August of 2009.

Only a handful of Little League umpires are ever afforded the honor of working a Regional or World Series tournament, and Ed, our Assistant District Umpire-in-Chief, was well-deserving of the honor. With over 20 years of experience, Ed brings knowledge, skill, and even a sense of humor to every game he works.

The 10-day West Region tournament showcased the top teams from the western U.S., who came to San Bernardino as the final step to securing a berth in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Ed had the opportunity to work several games during the tournament, at numerous positions, including as umpire-in-chief. He was given the additional honor of working second base during the West Region championship game won by eventual Little League World Champion Park View Little League.

Ed was  the fourth District 32 umpire to work a high level tournament in recent years. Former District 32 Umpire-in-Chief and current District ADA Les Fletcher worked the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA in 2005. Former Asst. District Umpire-in-Chief and current District Safety Officer Henry Garnett worked the Little League West Region tournament in 2003 and in Poland at the Europe/Middle East/Africa Region tournament in 2004 and 2005. Current District 32 Umpire-in-Chief Paul Smith worked the Juniors Division West Region Championship in Laguna Niguel in August of 2008.

Congratulations Ed!

Hello, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Lisa LaPage and I am the District Administrator for California District 32. I have two boys, Christopher and Stephen, who both played Little League from T-Ball through the Senior Division. Those of you who know me know I attempted Big League with them… that didn’t get me anywhere!

I first started volunteering for Little League as a scorekeeper for my brother’s team back in the 70’s. (Do not attempt to calculate ages.) My dad was the manager and so, of course, I became the scorekeeper. My dad continued on after my brother and I got out of Little League and became the President of Balboa Little League. He was the President when Balboa introduced their first Challenger Division Team – that program is still strong and now resides at Clairemont Hilltoppers Little League.

As my children became old enough to play Little League, I started volunteering again. I started out as the Team Mom and moved “up” to Scorekeeper. Then … it happened, “real volunteering.” I became a bonafide board member for Mira Mesa West Little League – Head Scorekeeper was my first title! Then my second title was Player Agent, then Vice President, then finished up a season as President!

In 2003, the District Administrator Jim Gerstenslager, asked me to be on his staff as an auxiliary member. How hard could that be? OH – those of you that “started” as auxiliary members know the answer to that! I served on the District Staff while continuing to serve on my local league board. In 2006, I was elected as the District Administrator by the Presidents of District 32 – that penalty is still pending!!

All kidding aside, I take Little League seriously – I believe 100% in the program and what Little League stands for. Our children in all of our communities deserve to have hard-working volunteers involved in a program that has every child’s interest and well-being at heart. We, through baseball, teach all of the children Character, Courage and Loyalty – not to mention Respect, Discipline, Teamwork and Sportsmanship.

This can not be accomplished without the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who dedicate time (which they don’t have) to a program they all believe in. That, my friend, is what this is all about. The volunteers inside Little League are rare characters (sadly enough) – they unconditionally give their time, knowledge and sometimes money to the youngsters who will one day rule our world!

To all the Presidents, Board Members, Umpires, Managers, Coaches, Team Moms and Team Dads, Scorekeepers, Carpool Drivers, Cheerleaders and just plain Parents, THANK YOU for participating in the best program in the world for our children. My kids wouldn’t have had the experience without you – and for that I am humbly grateful.

Lisa LaPage

Ever wonder how things get done? If you do, then you might just be the person we are looking for. We are always looking for volunteers who love and believe in Little League Baseball . As you should know, things don't just happen, it takes hours and hours of hard work volunteering. Our staff oversees 13 local leagues which add up to be about 5000 Little League players. The players need your help; they can't do it without all of the adult volunteers. We are serious about our role in the Little League organization and have a good time while supporting what we believe in. If you are interested in joining, please let us know. Send an email to llapage@san.rr.com and let us know what you are interested in. Play Ball!