Saddleback Little League: SLL News

The Combining Of Saddleback and Lake Forest Little Leagues

We reach out to you today as current stewards of Saddleback Little League to announce there is change in the air. Positive change. We recognize our responsibility to openly communicate with current and past members of the league, address questions of current members and recognize concerns of those who over the years donated their time and expertise to contribute and bring Saddleback to where it is today.

For several years and for numerous reasons the idea of combining the two Little Leagues in Lake Forest, Saddleback and Lake Forest Little Leagues, has been entertained in an effort to provide a better experience for our players, parents and families. Recently the challenges faced by both leagues has dictated that a closer look be taken to provide that better experience. After much conversation and with the complete support of District 55 officials it has been decided that in order for both leagues to remain solvent and continue to provide baseball for our children it is in the best interest of all involved that we move forward with this combining of leagues.

Why?

The bottom line is both league’s enrollment have been in continued decline due to so many other options available to our youth. This presents serious financial challenges while trying to provide a great experience for our member families. Over the last few years we already have had to engage in interleague play  with nearby communities due to the reduced number of teams in each league. We now simply come together as one cohesive league and enjoy the benefits and camaraderie of the union.

What are the benefits?

The most immediate benefit is the ability to continue uninterrupted play by combining the resources of both leagues. We will have access to all city fields providing better facilities for our kids, especially with the opening of the currently being built, state of the art Lake Forest Sports Park. We will have one city wide identity to garner additional financial support from community businesses and families. Our children will no longer be separated by long established boundaries forcing them to attend school together  yet not participate in baseball together…and the old adage “two can live cheaper than one’ will combine resources allowing the continued building of a progressive baseball  environment. We also will be able to draw from a larger pool of players to be more competitive and provide a better experience in Little League tournament play.

What this means to you?

Including the opportunity to play in varied locations, an exciting, well received perk by our kids, some juggling of dates and the making of new friends, it will be baseball as usual in a new and bigger way.

What about the name and operation of the league?

We have heard very valid concerns relating to the naming of the league and the ongoing league management. Let us first share that neither league is being “absorbed” by the other. This is a very cooperative joint effort designed to provide an even better baseball environment than has been enjoyed in the past.

As far as the name goes, let us clarify. In order to provide baseball without interruption, and needing to conform with the rules of Little League International, there were a couple of choices. We need to abide by the charter of one league or the other. The only other option would be to disband both and start from scratch by establishing a brand new charter with Little League - a very tedious and time consuming process. Saddleback Little League has a rich and storied history of providing a great experience and wonderful memories for all of our past players and families. Lake Forest Little League, although a “newer” league, has a more recognizable identity for the community overall. Without being “absorbed “ it was decided that the best way to move forward, to establish one community wide, easily recognizable identity, the best move would be to simply use the existing charter and name associated with Lake Forest Little League.

We have heard suggestions about combining the names of both leagues in some manner in order to preserve the Saddleback name, storied history and memories and completely understand and recognize the importance of your suggestions. . We thank you for your voice and efforts will be made to determine the possibility of a name modification on the existing charter that will allow the union and preservation of both leagues history.

As far as management, both Boards of Directors are coming together as one with equal decision making rights. A new rules committee will be established rather than using a “template’ from one league or the other. This is truly an effort to combine the best resources of each league in the effort to provide a great experience for our families.

Dogs:
Please remember that dogs are not permitted at our game or practice fields. This is per SVUSD regulations. Please leave your pets at home. Please make sure any visitors you invite to the field are aware of this also.

Parking:
Please be advised that the league has received several complaints from the residents around our fields regarding speeding and parking. Please remember that our fields are located in a neighborhood and abide by the speed limit. Also, OCSD has been ticketing cars that are parked blocking driveways or too close to corners or fire hydrants. Cars need to be parked fifteen (15) feet back from corners and fire hydrants and cannot block driveways even by a few inches.

Candid Team Photos:
Please be taking candid photos of your players for the yearbook. A box has been set up in the snack bar for photos to be turned in. Please put the team name and division on the back of the photo. Deadline for photos to be turned in will be end of March. Dug Out Club and submissions for the Farewell Page are also due then.