Petaluma National Little League: Welcome

PNLL's 10, 11 & 12 year old All-Star teams pulled off a clean sweep of their first round All-Star games this weekend with all clubs remaning in the coveted Winner's Bracket of their tournaments.  The competition is stiff, this is great baseball to watch and the boys could use your support.  Come on out and cheer them on. 

For bracket information, see the D-35 web site HERE.

Jesse Moore's telent stuffed AAA Minor Division Tournament Team is on a tear through Mark West Tournament opponents.

After three pool play games, the team is 3-0 and has scored 51 runs in 14 innings while only allowing 9.  They'll be rolling into the Championship Round this weekend.

Game time is 1pm @ Mark West Little League.  Go check out the Major Division stars of tomorrow as they push for a tournament championship of their own.

MAP

Mark Richardson, Dave Gabbert, Barry Murrin and their tough 2009 PNLL Major Division Champion Pinky's squad will play their first game of the TOC on Tuesday (6/23). 

Game time is 5:30PM at West Side Little League

MAP

The City Championship Tournament concluded this weekend with the question of whether or not a National Team would win the flag this year being answered earlier in the week.  The Championship Game featured two top notch PNLL squads in a classic battle of power pitching clashing with power offense.  Bret Parrick's Lucky 7 boys squared off against Kimo Garrigan's Ohana Construction to decide who would walk away with the bragging rights of City Champion.  Ohana came up just short and Lucky 7 walked away witht the honors.

Congralutions to Lucky 7!  A fine conclusion to an incredibly strong showing this season.  I think they also walked away with the Paretti award, which is given to the team in the league who sings "Sweet Caroline" the best.

When the City Tournament was wittled down to the "Elite Eight", 5 of the eight spots were held by PNLL teams.  A very strong showing in a tournament full of talent for our league.  We all have a great deal to be proud of.

The completed 2009 Major Divsion City Tournament Pool/Brackethas been released.

You can download a copy of the document HERE.

Below are your 2009 PNLL Major Division Seeds:

The following files may be helpful to our managers:

City Tournament Welcome Letter

Sample Pool/Bracket Standings

Pitching Eligibility Form (Must be broughtto every game and signed by the umpire or opposing Manager)

PINKY'S WINS!!!     PINKY'S WINS!!!     PINKY'S WINS!!!

Mark Richardson's gutsy Pinky's team scratched, clawed and battled their way through three straight victories to take the Sanderson Trophy home last night in a win over Ohana.  Ohana jumped out to an early lead, but Pinky's proved that they are never out of a ball game with a late comeback win despite some solid play by Ohana.

CONGATULATIONS: Mark Richardson, Dave Gabbert, Barry Murrin and all the Pinky's players and families.  Taking the #1 Seed into the City Tournament is something to really be proud of.

A BIG THANKS to our loyal sponsor Pinky's Pizza.  THE PLACE to eat Pizza in Petaluma!!!

Trevor Tomei's Shotwells Autobody and Chris Overton's Northern Pacific Roofing went head to head Wednesday evening for the 2009 AAA Minor Division Championships.  Shotwells dominated the first half of the season and was awarded a bye in the first round of the championship tourney.  NPR came on strong winning the second half and were also awarded a first round bye. 

The Tournament showcased some serious up and coming PNLL talent.  The dominating Major Division players of tomorrow put on a show for cheering fans.  There were tight games and upsets, but in the end, the first half and second half winners found themselves facing each other in the Championship game.  It was a seesaw battle that came down to Home team, Shotwells up by 1 run with 2 outs in the top of the 6th and the bases loaded with NPR runners.  Shotwells barely squeeked out the victory with some clutch pitching and defense.

Congratulations Shotwells Autobody!!!

After another day of battles in the Major Division, one thing is clear .... this Division is about as balanced as it can be.  Anyone can beat anyone.

It all comes down to one game.  Pinky's Pizza vs. Ohana Construction in a single game to decide who gets The Sanderson for 2009.

Major Division Championship game time is 5:30 tomorrow, but don't miss the Mini festivities on the Major Diamond starting at 3:45.  Each team will play a couple of innings, the kids will get BBQ hotdogs and awards will be presented after the games.  Come down and cheer on the future of PNLL tomorrow.

AAA Minor Division and Major Division Championship Tournament Standings and Schedules can be found here:

AAA Minor Division Championship Tournament Schedule

AAA Minor Division Championship Tournament Standings

Major Division Championship Tournament Schedule

Major Division Championship Tournament Standings 

The race for the Sanderson will boil over on Monday 6/1 when the PNLL Major Division Campionship Tourney begins. 

Unlike past seasons, a single elimination Championship Tournament will be opened up to all Major Division Teams.  Anyone who has spent any time at Carter knows, this thing is wide open and up for grabs evidenced by a final regular season week of tightly played games.  Elks was the first half winner, but the second half race was so tight that it could not be determined until the last pitch of the final regular season game.

In the Championship Tournament, the first half winner (Elks) and the second half winner (Lucky 7) will receive a valuable, pitching staff saving, first round bye.  Seeding was determined by overall season record.  See below for the schedule of this week's upcoming Championship Tournament Games.

Monday 6/01/09

Game 1 - 3:45PM - EMG (#6 Seed) @ Ohana Construction (#3 Seed)

Game 2 - 5:45PM - SJLA (#5 Seed) @ Pinky's Pizza (#4 Seed)

Tuesday 6/02/09

Game 3 - 3:45PM - Lowest Remaining Seed @ Lucky 7 (#1 Seed)

Game 4 - 5:45PM - 2nd Lowest Remaining Seed @ Elks (#2 Seed)

Wednesday 6/03/09 

Game 5 - 5:30PM - Winner Of Game 3 vs. Winner Of Game 4 (Home Team will be determined by highest remaining seed)

There has been a great deal of confusion over the rescheduling of games for this Sunday, 5/17/09.  Below you will find the schedule for all Sunday 5/17/09 games.

Mini Field

10:00am - Donny's Dodgers vs. Barry Contruction

12:00pm - Petaluma Police vs. Petaluma Fire Fighters 

Minor Field

9:00am - Muse Hair Salon vs. PVAC

11:00am - Shotwells vs. Maselli

1:00pm - Dr. Leoni vs. Renstrom Plumbing

3:30pm - Verizon vs. Shamrock

5:30pm - Northern Pacific Roofing vs. Liz White

Major Field

9:00am - Mike's Barber Shop vs. Lace House Linen

11:00am - ***North Bay vs. Matteri Electric***

1:00pm - EMG vs. Lucky 7

3:30pm - Elks vs. Pinky's

5:30pm - SJLA vs. Ohana

*** This game will be subject to a hard 1:45 time limit.  At the 1:45 mark the game will end regardless of the inning or score.

Again, we are aware that families have other commitments on Sundays and we apologize for the hardship this creates for those families.  However, due to the number of teams at PNLL this season, we are left with absolutely no field availability during the regular season.  Literally EVERY available time slot is filled Monday through Saturday on the Minor and Major diamonds.  Our last resort was to reschedule games for Sundays.  Our only other option was to extend the season which would have adversely effected Division Playoffs, City Championships and All-Stars.

Junior/Senior & Make-up Picture Day is Saturday, May 16th.  The following are the assigned times for each respective team:

Individual Picture Make-ups - 10am 

EMG - 10:15am

North Bay Construction - 11am

Anderson - 12pm

Dolcini - 12:30pm

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your assigned time.

All games today (Tuesday 5/5) are to be played as scheduled.  Wayne Douglas and crew have done a greatjob of preserving our fields so that they are playable despite the recent weather conditions.

 PLAY BALL!!!

All Saturday 5/2 games are cancelled due to field conditions.  Games will be rescheduled at a later date.  The fields will not be suitable for play tomorrow. 

Enjoy your weekend of no baseball (if that's even possible).

Carter Field will remain closed to all practices and games.

Junior Division games that are not scheduled to be played at Carter Field have not been cancelled.  Please check with your respective Managers for Junior Division game status.

All games for Friday 5/1 have been cancelled due to rain.  Please check back here for the status of Saturday 5/2 games. 

Carter Field is currently closed to all games and practices.

The Pitch, Hit & Run competition is this Sunday, May 3rd at Prince Park from 1PM to 2PM.  It's not too late to sign up.  You can download the registration form HERE, or fill one out 30 minutes before the competition.

The Elks won the first leg of the race for the Sanderson tonight by clinching the first half of the season with an extra-inning win over Pinky's.  It was a well played, very well pitched battle that went into the bottom of the 7th with Pinky's ahead 4-2.  In typical Elk's fashion, they battled back in the bottom of the 7th and secured their spot in the Major Division Campionship game.

CONGRATULATIONS Elks Players, Manager, Coaches and Parents!!!!

For the Junior and Senior Division Schedules and scores, please visit the PALL site at:

http://www.eteamz.com/PetalumaAmerican/schedules/

Post Season Play - Dates Anounced

Every year all-star teams are selected and every year a player or two is denied the opportunity to play in the all-star tournament because of vacation plans.  This year, we're anouncing the City Tournament and All-Star dates early so that families can plan ahead.

Please keep the following dates in mind when planning your summer vacations:

City Tournament (All Major Division Teams) - June 6th - 20th

Tournament Of Champions - June 22nd - 26th

All-Stars (Major Division) - End of June - July (and possibly beyond)

All-Stars (AAA) - Dates not announced yet.  Plan on late June - early July

Like most dads, I've bought several bats for my son in search of one that will hit the ball for him (still trying to find one).  What you end up with is a half dozen baseball bats laying around the house that aren't being used.  Then there's a couple of bat bags we don't use and that glove we bought that he never really liked and a helmet or two from a few years ago.  The stuff isn't being used, but you hate to throw it away.

Now there's a perfect use for that un-wanted/un-used baseball gear.  Chase Stafford has contacted PNLL and informed us that he will be traveling to the Dominican Republic with the non-profit group Building Homes Building Hope.  While there, Chase would like to get some of the children hooked on the game of baseball.  These kids need that gear we aren't using.

During the month of April, there will be a Donation barrel at the snack bar for you to drop off any gear you would like to donate to this worthy cause.  There are no games scheduled for next weekend, so if you would like to drop off some gear this week, stop by the snack bar and we'll hold the gear for Chase.

The race for The Sanderson exploded onto Carter Field this weekend with 3 late inning comebacks in the Major Division.  All three matchups were low scoring nail-biters showcasing some pretty talented pitching. 

Newcomer Jim Dentoni introduced himself to PNLL and his SJLA squad made a loud and clear statement that they aren't out of a ball game until the last out of the last inning with their comeback victory against a solid Pinky's team.

Shawn Montoya and his stubborn Elks squad proved that even a re-draft can't change the Elks winning ways when they chipped away at Lucky 7's lead and went ahead in the 6th.  Solid Elk pitching held down the powerhouse Lucky 7 squad in the bottom of the 6th to secure the victory.

Despite dominant pitching by Ohana, Tim Brown's EMG squad came back to win in the bottom of the 6th thanks to some big contributions from three of EMG's first year Major Division players.

WOW!!!!!!!

That's about all that can be said to describe the turnout at Field Cleanup Day.  I spoke with several people who have been involved in the league for years and they had never seen anything like it. 

There were over 100 adults and countless kids in attendance at Field Cleanup Day.  It really made it a lot of fun.  We wanted a big turnout, but we never imagined it would be that big.

On behalf of the PNLL Board and PNLL Players, I would like to thank everyone who showed up and helped out on Saturday.  For those of you who missed it .... you missed a great time playing in the mud with some pretty good folks.

GREAT JOB PNLL FAMILY!!!!

Valley Vista School has contacted PNLL and requested we inform our coaches that their grass area is off limits to practices until further notice.  Apparently recent practices at Valley Vista have damaged the grass.  You are welcome to practice on the blacktop at Valley Vista, but please stay off the grass.

Please visit the new Junior/Senior Division Page for the latest information specific to those divisions.

Reminder:  PNLL is STILL accepting registrations for Junior and Senior Division players.  Your last chance to register is March 15th for the Junior Division and April 19th for Senior Division players.

Space is limited, so sign up NOW!!!

Contact the Registrar or Information Officer for more information.

---FIELD CLEANUP DAY ---

Carter Field cleanup day is THIS WEEKEND (Saturday, March 7th).  A lot of people have worked very hard on the fields in the off season and they look better than they ever have.  We still need your help though.  The Snack Bar will be open, bring the kids, the wife, the husband, a paint brush, a wheel barrow a shovel or a weed trimmer. 

"Festivities" start at 9am and end .... depending on how much help we get.  PNLL would like to see 3 representatives from every PNLL team in attendance.  Let's set the tone for the season by getting our fields in the best shape they can be in for the kids.

Challenger League Opening Day is March 15th in Santa Rosa.  For those of you who are not familiar with the Challenger Division, take a look at THIS FLIER.

The AAA and Major Division teams have been drafted.  All 9, 10, 11 & 12 year old players that were eligible to be drafted to AAA or Major Division teams should be receiving phone calls in the next few days from their Manager.

AA and Mini Division teams will be assigned the week of 2/16.  8 and 9 year old players assigned to AA or Mini teams should expect a call from their Manager the week of 2/23.

PNLL is still accepting Registations for 6, 7 & 8 year old players. 

Registrations for Junior Division players will be accepted up until March 15th. 

Registrations for Senior Division players will be accepted until April 19th.

Please contact the REGISTRAR or INORMATION OFFICER for more information.

Carter Field Evaluations ON as scheduled!!!!! 

Fields are wet, but playable thanks to the hard work of Wayne Douglas, Pete Parnow, Ken Ishizu (Empire Landscaping) and other very dedicated volunteers.

We intend on holding evaluations at Carter Field as scheduled.

See below for your assigned time/day.

Don't forget to take a look inside the newly remodeled snack bar, which will be open for the first time tomorrow during Evaluations.  PNLL Board member Ralph Evans was superintendent of the remodel project and put in so many hours that his family contemplated filing a missing persons report.  Mark Silvia of Marin Mechanical, Kimo Garrigan of Ohana Construction, Pete Parnow of Parnow Brothers and many others contributed countless hours of their time on the project as well.

The 2009 PNLL Season officially begins tomorrow!!!!!  If that doesn't get you excited ... you should probably go see a doctor.  Hot dogs, good friends, great games, great kids and great baseball!!!

See you at the park ....

2009 Season Evaluations/tryouts are THIS WEEKEND February 7th & 8th.  Evaluations have been split over a two day period this season to better accommodate the concurrent basketball season.  See below for your assigned time by age group and last name.

All Players with LAST NAMES beginning with A-L are to attend Evaluations on Saturday, February 7th, at the following times:

11 year olds - 9am to 10am

12 year olds - 10am to 11am

8 year olds - 11am to 12pm

9 year olds - 12pm to 1pm 

10 year olds - 1pm to 3pm

All Players with LAST NAMES beginning with M-Z are to attend Evaluations on Sunday, February 8th at the following times:

If you are unable to attend Evaluations on your assigned date at the assigned time, you must contact Nolan Lowry to schedule an alternative Evaluation time/day.  You may contact Nolan at 707-591-3014 or via email at nwlowry@pacball.net.

Per Little League International Rules, no player age 9 - 12 that does not attend Evaluations can be drafted to a team.  Therefore, any player who does not attend Evaluations, must be placed on a team at the lowest level they are eligible to play.  Returning AAA and Major Division players who do not attend Evaluations are eligible to play in those Divisions again, but WILL NOT be drafted.  They will be placed on teams via lottery at the completion of the regular draft. 

In other words, once all the other kids are drafted, their names get pulled out of a hat.  PLEASE attend Evaluations or contact Nolan to make other arrangements.

At least one parent of all PNLL players must attend one of the following Mandatory

Parent Meetings.

Saturday, January 24 - 12pm to 1pm

Monday, January 26th - 7pm to 8pm

Thursday, January 29th - 7pm to 8pm

All Meetings will be held at:

Petaluma Boys & Girls Cub
203 Maria Drive
Petaluma, Ca 94952 

Many of you who have turned in your volunteer applications have already been contacted regarding the scheduling of your Manager Interview.  All prospective Team Managers MUST fill out a Manager's Application and bring it with them to their interview. 

Here's a hint.  We don't want to see any prospective Managers quickly scribbling out their Manager Application in the hallway prior to their interview.

You can download the Manager's Application HERE.  Fill it out and bring it with you to your interview.  If you would like to be a Team Manager, have already submitted your Volunteer Application and are not contacted for an interview scheduling by Monday (1/19/08), please contact the Payer Agent.

Manager Interviews are scheduled for 1/20, 21 & 22.

Online registration has closed and there are no more scheduled walk-in registratin dates.  However, you can still register for the 2009 season.  Please contact the registrar or informatin officer to arrange registration.

Board member contact information is HERE.

Important Reminder for all prospective Team Managers!!!  

If you would like to be considered for a position as team Manager for the 2009 Season, you MUST submit a Volunteer Application and have it to PLayer Agent Dawn Montoya BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2009!!!!! 

You can find her contact information HERE. 

Our Registation Page is HERE.

The Registration FAQ Page is HERE.

In addition to the pages linked above, you may find all necessary Registration forms HERE.

January 14th, 2009

PNLL will receive 25% of the proceeds from dinner items ordered off the special PNLL menu.  5% from items ordered from the regular menu.

Great food, great atmosphere, great families, good friends and  lots of fun.

DON'T MISS THIS ONE

--==***Door prizes and raffles***==--

Don't forget to tell your waitress

"WE'RE WITH PNLL!!!"

The evaluation dates and opening days for the Junior & Senior Divisions are as follows:

Junior Division:

Evaluations/Tryouts - Sunday, March 15, 2009 - 9:00am - Carter Field

Opening Day games - Saturday, April 18, 2009

Senior Division: 

Evaluations/Tryouts -  Sunday, April 19, 2009 - 9:00am - Casa Grande High School

Opening Day games - Saturday, May 9, 2009 

Online Registration is now available.  Please click here or choose the Online Registration link to the left. 

In conjunction with Petaluma American and Valley Little Leagues, the 2009 Season Registration dates have been established.  Registration will again be held at Bernard Eldridge Elementary School on the following dates:

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 - 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 9:00am to 2:00pm

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 - 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Online registration will also be available (residency verification must still be verified in person at one of the above registration dates).

The PNLL Boundary has changed to incorporate a portion of the area formerly within Rancho Cotati Little League's Boundary.  Specifically, the newly incorporated area is that which is surrounded by Wiggins Hill, McBrown Road, Liberty Road, Center Road and Pepper Road.

For further information, click the "League Boundary" menu to the left.  Clicking on the headline of this News article will take you to a Google Map outlining PNLL's new boundary.

PNLL Has received notification from Little League International that 2 3/4" bats will no longer be permitted in Junior League level of play.  See text of notification from Little League International below:

"Beginning with the 2009 Little League Baseball season, baseball bats with a diameter of 2 ¾ inches are no longer permitted for use in the Junior League Division of Baseball.

The "minus-3" requirement - overall weight (in ounces) of a bat can be no more than three ounces below the overall length (in inches) of the bat - remains in effect in Senior and Big League Baseball divisions, but is NOT a requirement in Junior Baseball."

On October 6th, 2009, the Board Members elected by the General Membership met and established Board Member positions for the 2009 Season.  You can review Board Member positions by clicking on the "PNLL Board" link to the left or the headline above.

At a General Meeting of the Membership of Petaluma National Little League, the following volunteers (in no particular order) were elected to the Board of Directors for the 2008/2009 season:

Troy Sanderson, Ralph Evans, Dante Del Prete, Lawrence Cowell, Nancy Swanson, Dawn Montoya, Lisa Parnow, Wayne Douglas, Barry Murrin, Wendy McEwan, Ray Green, Andrew Paretti, Nolan Lowry, Anthony Lackey and Rick Krist.

Thank you to all members who took the time to show up tonight to help chart the course of your league.