Little League West Region: Regional News
Re-Dedication of The Western Region Headquarters Complex
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The Western Region Headquarters of Little League Baseball and Softball was formally re-dedicated today in a ceremony outside the newly-refurbished administration building. The headquarters complex, located in San Bernardino, Calif., serves as the center for 11 states, almost 4,000 teams and more than 570,000 players. The region includes the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. More...
Sunday, September 4
OCEAN VIEW LITTLE LEAGUE WINS THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES IN THE "NICK" OF TIME
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West first baseman Nick Pratto's two-out, bases loaded single gives Ocean View Little League from Huntington Beach, Calif., a 2-1 walkoff win over Japan in the 2011 Little League Baseball Championship. More...
MORATORIUM IMPOSED IMMEDIATELY ON COMPOSITE BATS
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Little League International Issues Update Regarding Composite Bats: Moratorium Imposed Immediately
Little League International has placed a moratorium on the use of composite bats in the Little League (Majors) Division and all other baseball divisions of Little League, effective immediately.
“Today’s decision of the Little League International Board of Directors Executive Committee is based on scientific research data from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell), which was contracted by Little League Baseball,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “The maximum performance standard for non-wood bats in the divisions for 12-year-olds and below is a Bat Performance Factor (BPF) of 1.15. The research found that composite bats, while they may meet the standard when new, can exceed that standard after a break-in process.” More...
LITTLE LEAGUE APPROVES SOME COMPOSITE BATS
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September 29, 2010
Little League Baseball and Softball Inc. has approved certain composite bats from certain manufacturers to be use in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Baseball Division for the 2011 season.
THESE BATS MEET THE BALL EXIT SPEED RATIO (BESR) AND THE ACCELERATED BREAK IN (ABI) PROCEDURE.
To view and download a list of approved composite bats, click here.
Saturday, September 18
All U.S. Little League Softball Tournaments to be Played at Regional Headquarters Starting 2011
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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
August 28, 2010
All five of the U.S. regional tournaments in the Little League Softball Division will now be played at the regional centers, it was announced today by Patrick Wilson, Vice President of Operations for Little League Baseball and Softball.
In 2010, the girls’ fastpitch softball tournaments pitting several state champions were held at the Southeastern Region Headquarters (Warner Robins, Ga.) and the George W. Bush Little League Leadership Training Center (Southwestern Region – Waco, Texas). Starting in 2011, the tournaments for state champions also will be held at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Leadership Training Center (Eastern Region – Bristol, Conn.), the Ruben F. Glick Little League Center (Central Region – Indianapolis), and the Little League Western Region Headquarters (San Bernardino, Calif.).
“We have been working toward this for a few years,” Mr. Wilson said. “As part of our commitment to enhancing the experience for Little League Softball players, we are looking forward to having these tournaments in a stadium atmosphere.”
One modification to be made to the fields is to level the pitching mounds for the softball tournaments, then raise it again for the baseball tournaments. Each of the sites features a stadium with seating for several thousand fans. The girls will stay in dorms at San Bernardino, Bristol, and Indianapolis, and in hotels at Warner Robins and Waco.
“With six Little League Softball games on national television each year, funding assistance to all leagues with teams advancing beyond district, regardless of the division of play, free rule books, free background checks and so much more, we know we already provide more than any other program,” Mr. Wilson said. “We will continue to strive to keep our program No. 1.”
EAGLE SCOUT COMPLETES FLAG POLE PROJECT AT THE WESTERN REGION
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Anthony Fontana is 18, and a Big League Baseball player in Alta Loma (Calif.) Little League. Since he was young, he and his family have chosen to be active in their community, and when it was time for Anthony to complete his Eagle Scout Project, reaching out to Little League was a natural.
The question then became what kind of project could satisfy the requirement and be an enduring benefit to the Little League program? More...
Wednesday, July 7
CODY McCOY FROM LAKE FOREST LL NAMED GOOD SPORT OF THE YEAR
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Tuesday, August 18
GOOD SPORT OF THE YEAR GOES TO FULLERTON LITTLE LEAGUER
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Wednesday, September 2
2009 CHAMPIONS REPRESENTING THE NORTHWEST AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES
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Thursday, June 4
A WESTERN REGION CHAMPION
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Little League Graduates Play Key Role in University of Washington’s National Championship Season.
In her fifth season as head softball coach at the University of Washington, Redmond (Wash.) South Little League alumna Heather Tarr has guided the Huskies to the 2009 NCAA Division I National Championship. More...
Wednesday, March 11
COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERSHIP AT WESTERN REGION HEADQUARTERS
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Community Energy Partnership Promotes Energy Efficiency at Little League’s Western Region Headquarters.
The Little League Baseball and Softball Western Region Headquarters in San Bernardino, Calif., has received numerous energy efficient upgrades as a result of the City of San Bernardino’s participation in the Community Energy Partnership...more
Thursday, May 28
CONGRATULATIONS TO EASTERN LL AND CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 8
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Little League Urban Initiative, Bank of America Dedicate Softball Field in Stockton, Calif.
The Little League Urban Initiative and Bank of America have collaborated on a field revitalization project for the Stockton (Calif.) Eastern Little League Softball program. More...
Friday, March 23
LITTLE LEAGUE STATEMENT ON NON-WOOD BATS
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Saturday, June 7
CA DISTRICT 52 PITCHES IN EQUIPMENT TO HELP OUT CA DISTRICT 7
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Tuesday, February 19
LITTLE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL MOURNS THE PASSING OF TOM BOYLE
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WILLIAMSPORT , Pa. (Feb. 18, 2008) – Little League International mourns the passing Sunday night of one of its greatest supporters, Thomas C. Boyle, who was the Director of Little League’s Western Region Headquarters for 14 years.
“Although we have lost a great champion of the Little League movement, the legacy left by Tom Boyle will live on,” Stephen D. Keener , President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Doris and the Boyle family at this difficult time.”
Mr. Boyle became Director of the Western Region Headquarters in San Bernardino , Calif. , in 1973, replacing the late Al Houghton. He served in that position until his retirement in 1987.
During his tenure there, Mr. Boyle worked with local businesses and municipalities, as well as Major League Baseball teams, to grow the 13-state regional center into a model for Little League for years to come. He also served on numerous boards in the San Bernardino area.
“Tom worked hard to build the terrific volunteer spirit we still see in the Western Region, as a result of his efforts,” Mr. Keener said. “He recognized and appreciated the value of all Little League volunteers, but particularly those at the district level whose diligence on behalf of the children of Little League is so plainly evident at the Western Region.”
Even after retiring, Mr.. Boyle served as a volunteer consultant for Little League and the Western Region. Along with his wife, Doris, the Boyles worked tirelessly to promote the values and benefits of Little League, and were frequently on hand at the Western Region Tournaments and the Little League Baseball World Series.
“Tom Boyle is a legend here at the Western Region,” Jim Gerstenslager , Director of the Western Region Headquarters , said. “Everybody knew him, and it will simply be impossible to replace him.”
Prior to accepting the appointment as Western Region Director, Mr.. Boyle owned and operated the Thomas Boyle Bottling Works in Williamsport for 27 years. His business sponsored Little League teams in the Williamsport area for 23 years.
The family requests contributions be made to the Little League Western Region Building Fund. Contributions may be sent to 6707 Little League Drive, San Bernardino, California 92407, or to Chapman Hospice 6830 Palm Avenue, Riverside, CA 92506, or to the donors favorite charity.
Condolences may be sent to:
Doris Boyle and Family, 3575 W. Belmont, San Bernardino, California 92407.
Monday, June 11
LOCAL LITTLE LEAGUE IN CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 4O WINS A NEW SNACK SHACK!
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California District 40 Administrator Domenic Iadevaia attended the vendor exhibit at the 2007 congress in Houston Texas and put in his chance to win a new snack shack complements of the Snickers Company a Little League corporate sponsor. Well, low and behold, Domenic won and now Pacoima Little League, one of the leagues in California District 40 has a new snack shack at their local field. Click here, and you will taken to the District 40 website and you will be able to see the pictures of the snack shack during construction and the finished product. Congratulations District 40 and Pacoima Little League!
Saturday, August 26
LITTLE LEAGUE IMPLEMENTS NEW RULE TO PROTECT PITCHERS' ARMS!!
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Aug. 25, 2006) - Little League Baseball is changing its decades-old pitching rules, making the actual number of pitches delivered the deciding factor in determining eligibility in the baseball division, it was announced today by Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball.
Starting with the 2007 season, pitchers in all divisions of Little League, from age 7 to 18, will have specific limits for each game, based on their age. The number of pitches delivered in a game will determine the amount of rest the player must have before pitching again.
"Little League has a rich history of pioneering baseball safety innovations," Mr. Keener said. "As the world's largest organized youth sports program, Little League is proud to take a leadership position in youth sports safety."
There are about 2.3 million players in the baseball divisions of Little League worldwide. There are nearly 400,000 girls softball players, but the new regulations will not apply to softball.
For all of Little League Baseball's history, and for the history of amateur youth baseball in general, pitching regulations have used innings pitched to determine pitcher eligibility. Recently, researchers and medical professionals in the field of sports medicine have been working to determine if the actual number of pitches thrown (i.e., pitch count) is a safer way to regulate pitching in youth baseball.
Most notable among those calling for pitch counts has been Dr. James R. Andrews, M.D., medical director at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, Ala. Dr. Andrews is the world's foremost authority on pitching injuries, and is the pioneer of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, or, as it is better known, "Tommy John surgery." The ASMI and the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory Committee have worked closely with Little League to create the guidelines for the new regulation.
"This is one of the most important injury prevention steps ever initiated in youth baseball by the leader in youth baseball," Dr. Andrews said. "It is certain to serve as the youth sports injury prevention cornerstone and the inspiration for other youth organizations to take the initiative to get serious about injury prevention in youth sports. I am proud that our American Sports Medicine Institute and USA Baseball can play a small role in this important initiative."
Little League is the first national youth baseball organization to institute a pitch count. The Little League International Board of Directors approved the measure unanimously at its annual meeting today, two days before the Little League Baseball World Series concludes.
"This is the right time to make this change," Mr. Keener said. "We call upon all youth baseball organizations, including travel leagues, to implement their own pitch count programs in the interest of protecting young pitching arms. Our goal continues to be to educate everyone, particularly parents and coaches, on the potential injuries that can occur from throwing too many pitches."
For the past two years, Little League has conducted a Pitch Count Pilot Program to determine the feasibility of implementing a regulation limiting the number of pitches a Little Leaguer can throw in a day, and the rest required before pitching again. Fifty leagues were studied in 2005, and nearly 500 signed up for the program in 2006.
"Surveys of those leagues showed the overwhelming majority were able to implement a pitch count without any problems," Mr. Keener said. "They also found that they were able to develop other pitchers who might not have otherwise ever taken the mound. And they found that their pitchers were stronger at the end of the season, with less arm pain."
Previously, Little League pitching regulations limited pitchers (league age 12 and under) to six innings per week (Sunday through Saturday), and six innings per game. The number of innings allowed was increased for older age groups.
The number of pitches allowable under the new regulation is based on the pitcher's age. Specific rest periods are in place when a pitcher reaches a higher threshold of pitches delivered in a day.
The table below gives an overview of the number of pitches that will be allowed per day for each age group during the regular season in 2007.
League Age Pitches allowed per day
17-18 105
13-16 95
11-12 85
10 and under 75
The rest periods required during the 2007 regular season are listed below.
Pitchers league ages 7 through 16 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
* If a player pitches 61 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
* If a player pitches 41 - 60 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
* If a player pitches 21 - 40 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
* If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.
Pitchers league age 17-18 must adhere to the following rest requirements:
* If a player pitches 76 or more pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed.
* If a player pitches 51 - 75 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed.
* If a player pitches 26 - 50 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed.
* If a player pitches 1-25 pitches in a day, no calendar day of rest is required before pitching again.
"The regulation might be seen as a work in progress," Mr. Keener said. "As we move forward through the years, the limits may be adjusted as needed. And of course, we will continue to use all means at our disposal to improve the education of managers, coaches and parents."
Regulations for tournament play (all-stars) will be similar, but with some modifications. Those regulations will be released this fall.
Little League also continues to explore other pitching-related issues, such as the use of breaking pitches.
"While there is no medical evidence to support a ban on breaking pitches, it is widely speculated by medical professionals that it is ill-advised for players under 14 years old to throw breaking pitches," Mr. Keener said. "Breaking pitches for these ages continues to be strongly discouraged by Little League, and that is an issue we are looking at as well. As with our stance on pitch counts, we will act if and when there is medical evidence to support a change."
Little League International is beginning a five-year study on breaking pitches by Little League pitchers. The study is being conducted by the University of North Carolina and is supported by the Yawkey Foundation.
Little League Baseball and Softball is the world's largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.7 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.
Friday, June 16
CALIFORNIA D-57 MOM WINS LITTLE LEAGUE MOM OF THE YEAR
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Wednesday, May 3
CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BASEBALL COMMITS TO LITTLE LEAGUE
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Tuesday, March 7
WESTERN REGION TOURNAMENT REALIGNMENT
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Special Announcement.....
Effective March 2, 2006, the Little League Baseball and Softball Charter Committee has approved relocating Hawaii into the West Region, and Wyoming into the Northwest Region for tournament purposes from 2006 and beyond.
Wednesday, March 29
NEW LOGO UNVEILED FOR LITTLE LEAGUE GIRLS SOFTBALL!
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Thursday, October 13
LITTLE LEAGUER RETURNS TO PLAY AGAIN AFTER DEVASTATING INJURY
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Cody Perdue from Fremont California returns to play Little League once again after a devastating injury. Read about this Little Leaguer's courage and persistance to overcome his disability. More...
RUCKER'S LIFE LAUDED
A LITTLE LEAGUE LEGEND
Ray Rucker was memorialized on Friday, click here for the whole story...
FORMER LITTLE LEAGUER NOMINATED TO HIGHEST MILITARY POSITION
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General Peter Pace, who played Little League Baseball as a young man, was nominated to the highest military position by President George W. Bush yesterday. You will want to read the whole story, click here to read about this distinguished General...
Monday, May 9
USING STEROIDS IS CHEATING! Click on this headline
Using Steroids = Cheating ...
Monday, December 19
NINTH ANNUAL CHALLENGER JAMBOREE COMING TO DUBLIN MAY 2013
The 2013 9th annual Western Region Challenger Jamboree hosted by California District 57 is coming to Dublin California on Memorial Day weekend May 24-26th. The weekend will feature games, sightseeing and other special events. All teams who register for this event must be chartered and approved by Little League Baseball, Inc. To register for the Jamboree or be a sponsor you can go to the California District 57 website by clicking here.
