South Valley Little League: South Valley LL News

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SOUTH VALLEY LITTLE LEAGUE® -
       RECIPIENT OF $4,000 EQUIPMENT "STARTER KIT" FROM

WILSON SPORTING GOODS

In a February 18, 2006 letter from Little League Baseball's International Headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, South Valley Little League® received notice of the following:
    "I am pleased to inform you that your league has been selected to receive a Wilson Sporting Goods "Starter Kit" through the Little League Baseball Initiative Program. The Starter Kit contains approximately $4,000 dollars worth of equipment for your league. This generous donation from the Wilson Sporting Goods Company will hopefully help your league provide access to the benefits of Little League Baseball to more children in your community."

A copy of the packing list has been received, and equipment was shipped the week of February 12th. The League hopes to put much of the new equipment to use with the Little Leaguers and Volunteers participating this season - bats, balls, catcher's gear, umpire gear, gloves and assorted other items that will provide a solid base for the league's Volunteer Board of Directors as it strives to develop divisions of play from Tee-Ball through Junior Baseball and Junior Softball (generally ages 5 through 14). Though the League has had a varied number of teams in the past, the current board is striving to 'grow Little League' in the community and have it available for any child that wants to participate, with teams at least at these numbers. The league is also looking into the possibility of having a "Challenger Division" available for children with 'disabilities..' (In the past, the bulk of the equipment used was "borrowed" from the Rec Association.)

Chartered in January, 2003, the program has been in place under the legal name South Valley Little League® , but, for the most part, it was being operated as an extension of the Cottage Grove Rec Association (recently re-named South Valley Athletics). Because of that seeming affiliation, a large majority of the community have not been aware Little League® was "here!" As of January 21, an energized full board of Volunteers have stepped up, eager to have the community learn "the separate and unique identity that is South Valley Little League," inundating the community with informational flyers and radio announcements to help our community become aware there is another activity available for local youth. The 'every-child-plays' regular season looks to begin approximately April 8th and end by June 15th. The more advanced and eligible players ages 9 and up are considered for selection to "All Star Teams" which represent the community in post-season tournament play. Post season may include District, State, Regional or World Series tournaments - based on continuing wins. There is no ruling within Little League that states a child cannot participate in multiple programs during regular season which will end by June 15th. All Star Teams may include any combination of one team each from the following age groups: 9-10 yr olds, 10-11 yr olds, 11-12 yr olds (Majors), and 13-14 yr olds (Junior League). The players selected to those make a commitment to continue with their team and not participate in other baseball or softball programs from the first tournament game until the team is no longer eligible to advance.

In May of 2004, the league became a registered non-profit with the State of Oregon and, along with most Little Leagues, is included in the Federal Group Tax Exemption - a 501(c)(3), and part of a Federal Charter granted by the Congressional Senate and House of Representatives in 1964. Sponsorships and Donations are eligible for consideration as a tax write-off. In the developing program of Little League, it is 100% Volunteer at the local, district, and state levels of operation and does not limit participation in its activities on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual preference, religious preference, nor lack of funds. Running under their filed non-profit status and Little League's operational guidelines, Little League isn't defined as a 'sports program,' but a "child development program" that uses the sports of tee-ball, baseball, and softball as it's 'development tools.'   

The projected "sets of gear" should equip up to at least 3 Tee-Ball teams; 2 Minor Baseball teams;2 Major Baseball teams; 1 Junior League Baseball team; 1 Minor Softball team; 2 Major Softball teams, and 1 Junior League Softball team. Division ages for the local league have been defined for 2006 as ages 5-7 in Tee-Ball, 7-9 in Minors, 10-12 in Majors, 13-14 in Juniors. If there are interested 15 or 16 yr olds, please contact the league toward registering, and the league will work with District to see about 'combining' kids from across the district to create teams. As in the past, if numbers are low in any of these age groups and there are not enough registered to create "local teams," players may be combined at any level with nearby leagues (likely with Willamette Valley Little League with teams from the boundaries of Springfield, Pleasant Hill, Lowell, Creswell, and Marcola High School's boundaries.)   The hope of the Board is that families will be interested in 'Spring Season" ball and register their child to participate and help build up the number of players for teams.

"League Age" for Tee-ball and Baseball is determined by the child's age as of April 30th, 2006. For Girls' Softball, "League Age" is defined as the child's age as of December 31, 2005. These cut-off dates are new effective this season, and are an alignment with the USA Baseball/Softball youth programs across the country. (Tee-Ball and Baseball programs may be co-ed.)

In the past, local players have been allowed to "show up at the field, register, pay and be assigned to teams." Beginning this season, and following Little League's directives for creating teams, registrations are being held in advance; players ages 9 and up are required to participate in at least one "evaluation" which will assist the Player Agent in creating teams that are balanced in skill. The league has already held three registrations and two evaluations.   With that factor in place, the final opportunity to register and have your child participate in the 2006 season is Sunday, February 26th (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) at Lincoln Middle School. Children "League Ages" 9 and older should come prepared to "participate" in evaluations - with a glove, and warm clothes. (Metal cleats are only allowed in Baseball and ages 13-18. )   The earlier they arrive, the earlier they will complete their evaluation process. It is recommended they arrive about 15 minutes early, especially if they are not yet registered. That extra time can be used for warm-ups.

As with all Volunteer programs, it is very important volunteers step up to manage, coach, umpire, and assist in other means for the season. The District is providing an Umpiring Clinic and a Scorekeeping Clinic (free to Little League volunteers) on March 18th in Eugene. Additional information is available through the local league or at the league's website: www.eteamz.com/southvalleylittleleague . As part of their federal charters, Little League requires the local program process confidential background checks and sex offender registry checks on all adults who will have "repetitive access to, or contact with players or teams," as well as other volunteers within the program.

For South Valley Little League, eligible players must reside within the boundaries of South Lane School District. Parents will need to bring three (3) varied documents with proof of residence (generally a combination of three from the following: a drivers license, vehicle registration, utility bill, cell bill, satellite TV bill, tax bill, rental agreement, school document - showing the legal residence of the child). The League is also required to view the Original State-Issued Birth Certificate (or a certified copy) prior to the child being placed on a team. (This is not the 'hospital record," and we are not allowed to 'certify' using a photocopy of a birth certificate. The original documents are returned to the parent as soon as it has been viewed.) Though no child will be turned away for lack of funds, to help fund the program, registration "fees" are established annually that only partially offset the costs of providing the program.  

Community Businesses and Organizations are encouraged to jump on board and make donations or become team/league sponsors which will help keep our costs down for area families.

Questions may be directed to the league (via the Webmaster)