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

On November 12, District 32 will hosted its annual vendor show. More than a dozen vendors set up displays at the Holiday Inn-Miramar, providing a great way for leagues to visit with vendors from a wide variety of categories, all in one place and all in one night. There were 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 was well attended by board members and friends from all of our district leagues. Lots of good information was shared and new vendors contacted. Highlight of the evening for many was the great door prizes donated by the participating vendors!

The second big event this fall was our second annual District Roundtable, held Tuesday, November 17. This great event was an opportunity for board members from every league in our District to come together on one evening to share 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 had 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 benefited from the chance to exchange ideas, successes and concerns, offering the best training possible to prepare for the 2010 season. Discussions were interesting and enlightening, and we had almost 100 board members from our various leagues in attendance!

The Challenger Division of Little League Baseball is a program for mentally and physically disabled youth to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. The program is available to any special needs child between the ages of 5-18, or who is in an ongoing high school program.

More than the skills of baseball are learned through the experience. The value of the Little League Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports, the strengthening of participants’ self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play which are hallmarks of the Little League program.

The philosophy of the Little League Challenger Division is to provide the framework so that every Little League program may offer a structured, athletic activity for all youth in the community. Challenger Division participants learn not only the fundamentals of baseball, but also how it feels to be just like other children pulling together as a team, being cheered, and earning awards for their achievements.

Currently, District 32 has Challenger Division teams in four of its leagues (Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Penasquitos and University City), with hopes to expand the program to all of the other leagues in our District as well.

If you know anyone who would benefit from this program for children with special needs, please download the handout at the end of this article and contact District Challenger coordinator Glenn Castan, who will put you in contact with the right program in your area.

Please take the time to look around and view the all the current literature being handed out at our current District President Meetings (see handout below). We will be constantly updating the calendar and the information handouts. We are looking forward to a very fun and exciting season.

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!

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!

Yes, the Little League pledge - ALL leagues should be lining all of their teams up before EVERY game and reciting the Little League Pledge.  When did we stop saying this??  My children, 20 and 17 can STILL recite the pledge.  PLEASE .....  if you are not starting every one of your games with the pledge, start!  2009 season is as good as any to start.  The expectation of the district will be that ALL leagues are having ALL levels of teams saying the pledge before ALL games - NOT JUST TOURNAMENT!!
Thank you