Pocono Mountain West Little League (PMWLL) provides baseball and softball programs to youth between the ages of 5 and 18 within our League boundaries. Our League encompasses Tobyhanna Township, Tunkhannock Township, and the Arrowhead Lakes and Riverside Estates portion of Coolbaugh Township, in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. PMWLL is part of Little League District 29, which is also comprised of teams from Dingmans Ferry, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Tobyhanna, Pocono Mountain East, West End, Tannersville, and Slate Belt.
Typically 350 to 400 players register for our programs. These players comprise 30 or more teams every year and compete both locally and regionally. Teams from the PMWLL have won District Championships and some players have moved on to play at higher competition levels.
Games are typically played on fields provided by Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock Townships and Pocono Mountain School District. Blanche Price Park, in Tobyhanna Township, contains two playing fields, with one of them equipped with lights.
Our baseball and softball programs are broken down into several different levels, as defined by Little League International. Placement into these levels is primarily based on a player’s age and/or ability. League officials conduct tryouts to assess player abilities and attempt to place players at the correct levels based on tryout performance, openings at higher levels and age. Quite often player placement is also governed by Little League International rules and regulations. For example, Little League rules require that all baseball players that are league age 12 be placed at the Major League or Junior League levels (unless a waiver is granted for a player by the District Administrator and approved by the player’s parents). As a result, the League must place all 12 year old players at one of these levels. Little League rules also limit the number of 12 year olds that may be on a Major League team. In addition, returning players are typically the property of their previous team unless drafted up. Implementation of these rules may prevent placement of some players at higher levels. In short, the League does the best that they can do to properly place players, but the number of teams and rules may prohibit some placements, including keeping siblings and friends together.
PMWLL also offers a “Fall Ball” program for both baseball and softball. The “Fall Ball” program typically begins in August or September and runs until mid to late October. The program allows for players to obtain additional instruction and practice through clinics and games. The “Fall Ball” program is open to players registered for the “Spring Season” and is included in the regular season registration.
PMWLL is completely funded through player registration fees, fundraising activities and the generosity of local contributors. Many local organizations and businesses provide monetary donations to the League to help support our programs. This money goes directly to purchasing uniforms, equipment, insurance, and other items associated with fielding a team. Through these donations and fundraising activities, PWMLL is able to offer one of the lowest registration fees in the area.
PMWLL is run solely by volunteers, from coaches and mangers, to umpires and field maintenance staff. Without the help of these volunteers and our contributors, such programs would not be available for youth in this area. Thanks to these volunteers, local youth are able to participate in this community sports program.
