Tustin Eastern Little League: News

New Intermediate (50/70) Division for 11-13 Year-olds

Tustin Eastern Little League is excited to announce this new baseball division!  In an attempt to keep pace with the rest of the youth baseball world, Little League International has introduced this brand new division of baseball for 11-13 year-olds.

Why:  For many years, Little League has experienced an exodus of players as they gravitate to other programs (Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, Travel Ball, etc) that offer a style of baseball more familiar with what the kids watch on T.V. or as many are calling it, “real baseball.”

Safety is also a factor.  In the interest of protecting players’ arms, this “intermediate” division allows the kids to transition more gradually from the 60-foot diamond all the way up to the 90-foot diamond.

For the last 3 years, Little League has piloted this division in over 100 leagues around the country.  It has seen great success, and this past spring, it gained overwhelming approval to be offered in leagues everywhere.

Description/Details:

• 50-foot pitching distance (instead of 46) and 70-foot base paths (instead of 60).
• Leading off and pick-off moves are permitted.
• 7-inning games (instead of 6).
• On-deck batters are permitted.
• 2 5/8-inch barrels or “big barrels” are permitted.

All-Stars:  This division will have its own All-Star tournament and will culminate in a World Series.  Note:  An All-Star team in this division is likely to consist of 13-year-olds and a perhaps a few stronger 12-year-olds.  Since we can only send one team per division to All-Stars, this could result in 11-year-olds and most 12-year-olds not having the option of playing All-Stars.  Therefore, we are currently considering all our options, which may include a traditional Majors Division that runs parallel to the 50/70 Division.  If we hold at least 12 regular-season games in each division, we could then send a team to All-Stars for each division.   We are researching all our options, but can make no guarantees at this point.  It is our opinion that this new 50/70 Division will be a great addition to our Little League program, but even good change comes with wrinkles to be worked out.  Thank you for bearing with us as we seek to make a good thing even better!

Q&A:

Q:  Has there been any change to the minors program?

A:  No.  The Minors Baseball program is unchanged.

Q:  What if I have reservations about my 11-year-old playing against 13-year-olds?

A:  11-year-olds who are deemed not ready for this division can either play minors one more year or (if we are able to have it) can play Majors.  At the same time, if a 13-year-old is exceptionally advanced, they can be moved up to Juniors.  Nearly all kids we’ve talked with (as well as most parents) are very excited about this new division of baseball, and while we will funnel most 11-13-year-olds into this division (taking skill level into account), there will likely be other options.  Ultimately, parents have the option.

Q:  Are other leagues making this change?

A:  Yes.  Leagues all around the country are implementing this new division (some have had it for two years already).  And so far most D30 local league are on board.

If this information is confusing at all, perhaps think of it this way:  It will be many of the same kids playing the same game, just with a few different rules to make it more like “real baseball,” and with 13-year-olds being permitted to remain in the league for one more year prior to moving up to Juniors.

Thanks so much for supporting Tustin Eastern Little League! 

We have partnered with Sports Authority for our uniforms this season, and will be distributing them via an in-store event this weekend 2/9-2/10 at the Sports Authority in the Irvine Market Place.  TELL volunteers will be available between 10:00AM – 2:00PM both Saturday and Sunday to retrieve your uniforms.  The uniform pickup is for all divisions EXCEPT Juniors and Challengers. 

Additionally, Sports Authority has provided us with a 20% off coupon good for anything in the store, only this weekend.  If you missed the e-mail with the attached coupon, click here to retrieve it. 

TELL WEBSITE

As always, keep checking this website (www.tellbaseball.org) to get updates and check out the calendar link as well to see more important dates such as umpire clinics, scorekeeper clinics, coaches meetings and clinics, tryouts, Opening Day, etc. The website is where to look for communication updates and schedule changes. Please check it frequently before the season begins and often during the season as many answers to your questions can be found there and as usual, dates are always subject to change. Stay informed.

TELL IS FINALLY ON FACEBOOK!

TELL finally has its own Facebook page online. Please visit and give TELL a “like” if possible. We will be adding lots of info there soon and you can look forward to lots of pictures and videos to be added all season long. Please take a look at the link here  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tustin-Eastern-Little-League/114905638659371 or go to TELL website and click on the Social Networking link on the left-hand side of the page. We would love to hear your comments and suggestion on how to make TELL the best Little League chapter in America or at least in Tustin.

UPCOMING BASEBALL EVENTS (See "News" page for additional details): 

• Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 - Managers and Coaches Meeting - Utt MPR
• Upcoming 2013 D30 Rules Clinics
  • Tuesday, January 29, 2013 - Foothill High, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, January 31, 2013 - Foothill High, 6:30pm - 9:00pm.
  • Tuesday, February 5, 2012 - Site to be determined, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, February 7, 2012 - Site to be determined, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00pm.
  • Tuesday, February 12, 2012 -  Sierra Middle School (North East Santa Ana LL), 6:30 p.m. - 9:00p.m.
  • Wednesday, February 13, 2012 - Sierra Middle School (North East Santa Ana LL), 6:30 p.m. - 9:00p.m..
• February 3, 2013 - Umpire Mechanics Training Day!  From 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at South Sunrise Little League, MacPherson Magnet School, 391 South Prospect St., Orange, 92869