THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED WITH OUR FIELD WORK

We only had a handful of people come out last Saturday for our second field work day this fall. They were able to get a few important things done around the facility despite the nasty weather. We also want to thank the volunteers who came out from the Comstock Church of Christ. Your help was very much appreciated! It was still a bit early to rake and dispose of leaves around the park. If anyone is interested in raking once the leaves have fallen, feel free to do so! Leaves may be placed in our grey Best Way container located in the parking lot. Contact a board member if you need bags or rakes. They are located in the press box.

NEW MEMBER ADDED TO 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cari Curtis was elected as secretary to the 2010 Milwood Board of Directors, replacing Kim Feenstra who was elected Vice President. We congratulate Cari and all returning members and thank them for their service! Click on 2010 Board of Directors on the menu for a complete list of board members.

WILSON FIELD DRAWS RAVES 

The field upgrades made here at Milwood Little League this past year served us well in the 2009 season and we were proud to host the Big League Softball World Series championship game on beautiful Wilson Field. Many heaped on the praise as Milwood was in the national spotlight for the entire week. Thanks must go to Little League and Bud Vanderberg's coordination in securing the bulk of the funding through them. Thanks must also go to the Milwood Board of Directors and all of the families of Milwood Little League for their patience and support of this project. Future Milwood families will enjoy these fields for many years to come.  

VOLUNTEERS MAKE HISTORIC NIGHT A SUCCESS

The 2009 version of the Big League Softball World Series was once again a great success, due in large part to the dedicated staff of workers that volunteer each year. Concessions, Jack's Place souvenirs, raffle sales, security and informational services and grounds are run entirely by volunteers. Bud Vanderberg was extremely happy with this year's tournament, even with the weather issues on the weekend, "Without a doubt, this was our best tournament ever- and we're going to do it again next year!" said Bud.

Several of the grounds workers for the tournament are high school and junior high kids. Many of them have volunteered their time for several years. There is little doubt that this tournament would not be possible without their dedication and hard work that begins weeks before the tournament starts. Mike Daugherty and his crew of adults and kids, including Jason Buss, Milwood Little League's groundskeeper, have done another fantastic job of preparing our facility and maintaining the fields for this year's tournament. Thanks to all of you! 

LET THERE BE LIGHT...AND A CHAMPIONSHIP!

District 2 wins the 2009 Big League Softball World Series with a 4-0 win over Puerto Rico on August 12th at Vanderberg Park. Jackie Bowe dominated the Latin American representative by surrendering only 2 hits, while striking out 16. It was an historic night as the D2 girls captured the title under the lights for the first time. The game was also broadcast live on ESPN2. A standing room only crowd cheered on the host champs as they end the tournament with a 9-1 record. 

DISTRICT 2 IN CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!

Kalamazoo's District 2 won two games on Tuesday to cement a spot in Wednesday night's championship game of the 2009 Big League Softball World Series.  After a 5-1 victory over the Southwest Champs from Texas in the morning, the D2 girls pulled out a 3-2 win in the afternoon against the District 9 team from Grand Rapids. The win, combined with the other results of the day, guaranteed District 2 a return to the title game.

The game begins at 8:00pm on Wilson Field and is preceeded by the traditional Parade of Champions at 5:00. Come out and support the D2 team and be part of this historic night under the lights! For all who cannot attend, the game will be telecast LIVE on ESPN2.

D2 BATTLES THROUGH 3 GAMES ON MONDAY

It was a difficult decision to exempt the Big League Softball World Series from the 2 game limit per day rule, but the D2 girls were up to the challenge put forth by the tournament committee and Little League Headquarters. With 10 games cancelled by bad weather on Saturday and Sunday, it was necessary to "stack" games in an attempt to make-up as many games as possible. After 2 wins earlier in the day, D2 looked a bit tired in losing to the East squad, 3-2, on Monday night . Jackie Bowe, pitching in her second game of the day, was cruising along before surrendering a 3-run homer to Molly Mecca in the fifth. That proved to be all the champs from Scranton, Pennsylvania would need. It was District 2's first loss of the tourney.

In their morning contest, D2 defeated Georgia 11-1 and in the afternoon contest, beat The Philippines 11-3. For tournament schedules and standings, visit www.softballworldseries.org . For live streaming video of all the BLSBWS games, visit www.youthsportslive.com .

DISTRICT 2 CONTINUES TO DOMINATE

The D2 girls pushed their record to 3-0 with 2 more victories on day two of the Big League Softball World Series. In their afternoon contest the host team from Kalamazoo beat the Philippines 2-0 and defeated the West representative Antelope Valley, California, 7-0. The District 2 team remains unscored upon through their first 3 games.

D2 GIRLS WITH IMPRESSIVE FIRST WIN

The 2009 Big League Softball World Series began with a bang for the host District 2 team as they handily beat the European representative, Poland, 15-0. Starting pitcher Becca Shemberger had little trouble in dispatching the Poland team. Alyssa Foy added a home run in the win.

BIG LEAGUE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES UNDERWAY

Milwood Little League once again plays host to the BLSBWS beginning Thursday, August 6th at Vanderberg Park. Everyone is encouraged to come out and cheer on our area girls. District 2 has enjoyed much success in the Series over the last several years including two championships. Click on the picture to the right to meet all the girls and coaches on the D2 Team.

Teams from all over the world, such as Latin America, Europe and Canada, as well as the representatives from all the regions in the United States, will be participating in this year's tournament. Generous host families have welcomed these teams into their homes for the duration of the Series.

Little League and ESPN have contracted to telecast the tournament championship game live. It will not only be the first live broadcast of a Little League event in this area it will also be the first championship game under the lights.  Portable lighting will be brought in on Wilson Field for this one night event. The broadcast begins at 8:00pm, August 12th, on ESPN2.

Tournament opening ceremonies begin Thursday at 11:30am. Play continues throughout the weekend and into next week. The Parade of Champions is on August 12th at 6:00pm, followed by the 2009 BLSBWS Championship Game at 8:00. Visit www.softballworldseries.org for game schedules and other information.

2009 MILWOOD TOURNAMENT RESULTS

7/7  Junior Baseball- Milwood (1-0) 6, Westwood 2 @ Alamo

7/9  Junior Softball- Milwood/S. Portage (1-0) 18, Westwood 5 @ Milwood

7/9  9/10 Baseball- Milwood (1-0) 11, Westwood 9 @ Milwood

7/9  Junior Baseball- S. Portage 15, Milwood (1-1) 5 @ Gull Lake

7/10 Major Baseball- West Portage 4, Milwood (0-1) 0 @ Alamo

7/10 Junior Baseball- Gull Lake 17, Milwood (1-2) 7 @ Milwood

7/11 9/10 Baseball- West Portage #1 11, Milwood (1-1) 1 @ Gull Lake

7/11 Major Baseball- Milwood (1-1) 10, Parchment 2 @ Alamo

7/11 Junior Softball- Gobles 16, Milwood/S. Portage 10 (1-1) @ Eastwood

7/13 Major Baseball- Milwood (2-1) 7, Gull Lake 2 @ Milwood

7/13 Junior Softball- Parchment 17, Milwood (1-2) 7 @ West Portage

7/13 9/10 Baseball- Milwood (2-1) 15, Quad Cities 0 @ West Portage

7/14 9/10 Softball- Milwood (1-0) 11, Alamo 0 @ Gull Lake

7/14 Major Baseball- Westwood 5, Milwood (2-2) 4 @ Gull Lake

7/14 9/10 Baseball- Milwood (3-1) 6, Northwood-Plainwell 0 @ Milwood

7/15 10/11 Baseball- Milwood (1-0) 10, Gull Lake 6 @ Parchment

7/15 9/10 Baseball- Eastwood 4, Milwood (3-2) 3 @ Eastwood

7/16 9/10 Softball- Milwood (2-0) 4, West Portage 0 @ Eastwood

7/16 10/11 Baseball- Milwood (2-0) 6, Alamo 4 @ Eastwood

7/18 9/10 Softball- South Portage 8, Milwood (2-1) 0 @ Parchment

7/18 10/11 Baseball- South Portage 11, Milwood (2-1) 0 @ Gull Lake

7/20 10/11 Baseball- Milwood (3-1) 11, West Portage #2 9 @ Milwood

7/21 9/10 Softball- Milwood (3-1) 5, Gull Lake 4 @ Eastwood

7/21 10/11 Baseball- South Portage 8, Milwood (3-2) 6 @ Gull Lake (runner-up)

7/22 9/10 Softball- South Portage 11, Milwood (3-2) 1 @ Parchment (runner- up)

Combined tournament record- 13-12.

Two losses eliminated teams marked in red

10/11 BOYS GO DOWN FIGHTING

Milwood's 10/11 Baseball All-Stars were down 7-1 before mounting a comeback that got them to within one run, 7-6. Powered by back-to-back home runs off the bats of Cole Luma and Paul Vallier, Milwood stormed back before eventually falling 8-6 in the District 2 10/11 Baseball Championship Game on Tuesday. What an effort by these players and coaches throughout the tournament. Great job guys!

LEAGUE CHAMPS CROWNED

Little Major Baseball's Rathco, coached by Mike Dearman and James Yealin,  took home their division championship with a 17-2 win on Saturday on Lee Field. Also on Saturday, Legends Photography pounded out a 21-11 victory to win the second annual Minor Baseball Championship on Wilson Field. Earlier in the week, Steensma's won the Major Baseball Championship. Congratulations to all!

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LMSB MAKES STATEMENT IN SPECIAL GAMES TOURNEY

Both of Milwood's Little Major Softball teams won their respective District 2 Special Games Tournaments on June 13th and 14th. Congratulations to Doc's Girls and J&J Locksmiths on a great showing! These girls look like they are ready to get the All-Star Tournament season underway!

2009 TEAM PICTURE OF THE YEAR!