2002 - With Little League new to Lane County, an explosion began and it just keeps changing as, from year to year, we look at ways to better serve 'Hometown America' with Little League. Little League Baseball, Inc. has some general guidelines they use when allowing a charter for a league. Their general allowed population is 20,000 – with consideration given to “college towns,” areas primarily made up of senior citizens, and areas where there are other "imbedded" alternative youth sports programs. With the first charter in January 2002 and an estimated population of 300,000 or more, the folks doing all the behind-the-scenes work were very aware that splits and multiple leagues would become part of their projected plan. The focus of Little League being having 'hometown" Little Leagues serving one or two high school boundaries - or an estimated 20-40,000 population.

2003 - The season brought in a “divisional split” within "Emerald Valley Little League" with the introduction of McKenzie on the Springfield side of I-5.  In 2004, “McKenzie Little League” chartered as a separate league with its own board of directors.  Additionally, in the Cottage Grove area, “South Valley Little League” chartered for its first season in 2003 – starting with 2 Major Baseball teams, and expanding in 2004 season to include some Girls' Softball teams, and Junior Division Baseball.  Emerald Valley realigned their “internal boundaries” to have two “divisions” under one 'common' board for the 2004 season and moved foward in 2005 to two chartered Leagues (Emerald Valley East and Emerald Valley West) under a common board; and in 2006 to separate unique boards serving smaller population centers - each with their own specific high school boundaries.  In 2005, "Springfield" also chartered as a separate league, working under a Common Board with McKenzie.  For 2006, the goal to continue moving  forward  brought two separate boards so these two leagues could begin focusing on the smaller land-mass that is "Thier Hometown America" - with its own persona, and adapting to meet the needs of their own population.  There is potential for leagues to develop in outlying areas currently served by the existing leagues:  (Harrisburg, Junction City, Oakridge, Marcola), as well as other areas in Lane, Douglas, and Coos Counties!). A chartered Little League doesn't need 10 teams and 150 kids! 
        Along with this possible growth came the the need for the level above the local league to re-evaluate its boundaries and develop a growth plan. The “parent districts"until the 2004 season were District 8 and District 7. District 7 is based out of Salem - as home to 16 leagues it included Emerald Valley, McKenzie and South Valley. District 8, to the south, has a larger landmass, and had 8 leagues. Those folks have been traveling over the mountains for meetings, clinics, games and tournaments. The District Administrators (8 of them from around the state) held a state meeting and determined the best solution would be a blend of the leagues from District 7 and District 8 and create “District 9.” So, for Minors, Majors, and Juniors in Emerald Valley, McKenzie, and South Valley Little Leagues, Roseburg Orange and Roseburg Black, a new 'partnership' was formed!  (In 2005, the Roseburg area pulled from Little League to centralize their activity 'closer to home.') 

2008, Emerald Valley East changed their name to "Sheldon Little League," and the board of West Emerald Valley voted to charter two separate leagues:  Bethel (serving Bethel School District boundaries) and West Emerald serving the balance of the area.  South Eugene HS Boundaries were also moved from East (Sheldon) to the West Emerald Valley boundaries. "Bethel" area folks made an early but best first effort at forming a league within their boundaries!  By the end of the season, West Emerald Valley and Bethel 're-merged' with a goal of making a permanent separation within a year or two. 

2009, to more easily identify themselves and the communities they serve, two leagues changed their names.  "McKenzie Little League" voted to change their name to "Thurston Little League" since they serve the bulk of that High School boundary.  "West Emerald Valley" has changed their name to "Eugene Little League."  Additional changes include :

• Creswell School District boundaries moved back to South Valley Little League, and South Valley has expanded their boundaries to include the coastal communities associated with Reedsport School District! 
• Willamette Valley Little League expanded their boundaries to include Oakridge and Westfir.
• Contact was made by folks in the Junction City area - and there is the possibility of a new league forming for 2010 that will serve families in Junction City, Harrisburg, Monroe, Veneta, and a large 'outlying' area that is currently affiliated with Eugene Little League!

To visit our league's websites, click on the league name and, when you determine which league YOUR are part of, make it one of your "favorites" from your www access site :-)

Everyone has an opportunity for growth and new experiences as the leagues work together in interleaguing, defining the best programs we can provide the communities for regular season activies, and as 'icing on the cake,' toward District Tournaments (All Star Tournaments).

The opportunities for learning together and developing this new District are limitless – we hope you’ll be interested in jumping on the bandwagon and helping out! District 9 is headed by Little League-appointed (and President-voted in) District Administrator, Raleen Hockenberry.  She was the “District 7 Representative” working with the Lane County Leagues from the beginning. (She brings in over 10 years of "league board" experience including 9 years as a league president of a league that averaged 400-600 kids, several years of being on staff for District 7,  and is the state consultant for development of Little League's "Adaptive Baseball Division" - better known as "The Challenger Division.”) In addition to the local leagues having openings on their board, District has some openings as well. Raleen strives to pull folks into the District Staff that have shown the ability to help each other and the local leagues - usually with their skills being of a specific focus (i.e. softball, upper division baseball, challengers, scorekeeping UMPIRING ...).  In addition to Raleen, Darryl Hockenberry brings along 40+ years of experience in both baseball and softball - and multiple levels up through Big League - managing, coaching, umpiring, interleaguing, district and league staff positions ...

This District is YOUR District – and what you folks put into it and how involved you are in developing strong staff to help when called upon at the District level will make a lot of impact on the development of Little League across the counties.  If anyone has questions about the new District, please feel free to e-mail Raleen.  (District 9 is also a registered non-profit with the State of Oregon and the federal government through Little League Baseball and Softball, Inc.)