Temple Terrace Little League: Welcome
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Registration now open.
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| Opening Ceremony 2009 Fall Season |
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Temple Terrace Little League Has Hall of Fame Opening Ceremony!
Temple Terrace, Fl., Sept. 19, 2009 - The Temple Terrace Little League kicked off the 2009 Fall Season in Hall of Fame style on Saturday September 19th as the league held their Opening Ceremony at Ridgedale Complex.
The exciting event was a huge success for the league as nearly 600 participants and guest attended the opening day activities that consisted of a parade of champions, presentation from Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and the first pitch ceremony by Temple Terrace Mayor, Joe Affronti.
The Little Leaguers kicked off the hour-long program by parading the bases with pride and standing cheers from the crowd. The parade around the bases ended with the players standing in the infield. Parents were then asked to move from the stands out on the field to stand behind the players.
After an invocation was performed by board member, Jon Bassett, the King High School Honor Guard kicked off the honoring of our national flag. The lovely and talented Jenny Bassett amazed the crowd with her awesome performance of our National Anthem.
Jimmy Schaffer, another Little League board member introduced the Hall of Fame guest speaker, Robin Roberts. “He is one of our own, our neighbor. His kids went to King High School here in Temple Terrace,” said Schaffer. “He is affectionately known to me and those around the Temple Terrace as Coach.”
“They didn’t have Little League when I was a kid,” said the 83 year old Hall of Fame and National Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Director member, “we would just go out in the street or field and play baseball.”
Roberts won 20 games or more in six straight seasons retiring in 1966 with 286 wins. The tough Phillies pitcher threw 28 straight complete games over two years and had a lifetime ERA of .340. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.
Payton Culbertson, a player from the Majors Division, recited the Little League Pledge and Grapefruit Division manager, Mike Pine, gave a history of the pledge and recited the parent’s pledge to teach their kids to play fair.
Temple Terrace Little League Player Agent, Richard Schmidt, introduced each team manager and gave them their team packet filled with tools for managing their team for the season.
Wesley Fricks, VP of Baseball Operations at the park, came forth and thanked all guest and participants.
“We would like to thank our special guest Hall of Famer Robin Roberts and Mayor Joe Affronti for their participation in today’s program,” said Fricks, who is also a Ty Cobb Museum board member and Museum historian.
Fricks also thanked all of the volunteers who he said work behind the scenes and roll up their sleeves to make things happen for their league.
Fricks praised Little League as a “great organization.” He said it has brought so many families together. “It has brought together grandparents and grandchildren, it has brought together parents with their kids and it has brought us all together this morning,” he said.
Fricks concluded, “Thank God for giving us baseball, it is truly the greatest game in the world!”
Mayor Affronti was introduced and he cut a path through the crowd until he found the pitcher’s mound where he tossed the ball in the “first pitch” ceremony.
Unannounced to the Mayor, his grandson was chosen to catch the "first pitch." After the catch, Jarrett Affronti headed to the mound to give a big hug to his “Papi.”
This is what Little League is all about – families - the cornerstone of the organization!
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Wednesday, October 28
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| Vintage Base Ball Federation | |
Local Little League giving community a chance to play the game of base ball the way it was originally played.
Temple Terrace, Florida, October 19, 2009 – The local little league is finding ways to give back to the community. The Temple Terrace Little League Board of Directors decided to host a one-of-a-kind Vintage Base Ball game at our park on the last day of the season. Anyone interested in playing on a team for an inning or more are encouraged to contact us to sign up.
Vintage Base Ball, originally spelled with two words prior to the 1880s, refers to the game with different rules and terminology than what we are using today. No one would want “bugs” in our park today, but 125 years ago a team couldn’t make it without them because that is what they called “fans” in those days.
The game was played different. The fielders did not use gloves and if the ball is caught on the first bounce, it is still an out. The 19th century rules reflect a very gentlemanly game. No spitting, cursing or gambling or the Umpire will impose a small fine.
Vintage Base Ball is so old that it is becoming a new sport! The state of Florida has only a few Vintage base ball teams, but the phenomenon is growing across the country with more than 225 teams in 32 states.
On November 14th, 2009, the league only has three regular games scheduled for that day. The Vintage Base Ball will begin promptly at 12 noon and the second game at 2pm. This will be an opportunity for all ages to participate together and learn the game that we know now as Vintage Base Ball.
“This is just one of the many ways that we work to give something back to our community,” said Betsy Clark, league president. “
The Temple Terrace Little League has been building character in our community’s youth for 52 years chartering for the first time in 1957. Thousands of young players have come through the program and have grown up and became leaders in our community and abroad.
We take great pride in building a quality-based, community driven organization that impresses the core values of life in our youth.
“By hosting this Vintage Base Ball game, we can provide an opportunity to give something unique back to the community and provide an educational experience for our community,” said Richard Schmidt, player agent for the league.
“It is our way of thanking this wonderful community for their continued support for our league through the years,” Schmidt continued.
For more information or to learn how to participate in the Vintage Base Ball game, keep logging on to our website at www.templeterracelittleleague.com for more updates..
Handout: Vintage Base Ball Game
Tuesday, August 11
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| Rick Rausch | |
August 11, 2009 . Temple Terrace, Florida – The Little League International in Williamsport, PA announced recently the winners of the 2009 Volunteer awards to be recognized at this year’s Little League World Series.
The program acknowledges outstanding volunteers nominated from each league from all across the country each spring. The one lucky winner from each category – 10 in all – wins an all-expense paid trip to the Little League World Series and gets to attend all banquets and other functions leading up to the much anticipated summer series.
Rick Rausch was nominated by many local league members and recommendations were submitted on his behalf. The foundation of Rausch’s nomination was built on his dedication to the league, his ability to recruit new volunteers and his propensity to help those less fortunate.
Richard Schmidt, our Player Agent, believes that Rick’s dedication to the league has not only helped our managers and coaches, but also our volunteers and the families of participating players.
“Rick has been a consistent, steadfast resource for all directors, managers, coaches, players and families at the park,” said Schmidt.
“The key to his consideration for this award must be his ability to make volunteering fun which recruits other volunteers,” says Division Director, Mark Hutson.
One manager remembers Rausch for keeping his character present during difficult decision making.
“He is a man of great character and integrity who I have seen have to make difficult, but always fair decisions,” said Eric Leonard. “And I have seen him spend valuable time with those less talented.”
It is easy to understand why Rick Rausch was at the forefront when the time came for nominating a “Volunteer of the Year” candidate from our league.
Rausch is extremely deserving of the nomination and we are proud of what he has accomplished here at Temple Terrace Little League.
A very big Thank You goes out to Rick Rausch, our unsung hero!
For more information click here: http://www.littleleague.org/media/newsarchive/2009/May-Aug/VOTY09.htmSaturday, August 8
The Little League "U" Program is designed to help develop a framework of excellence for all of our managers, coaches and volunteers here at our Temple Terrace Little League park. Each participant must attend all four Session to receive their Little League “U” certification. We have included a makeup date of October 31, 2009, for those whose may have missed a previous Session.
Please submit your enrollment by September 12 to Wesley Fricks, VP of Baseball Operations by email at wfricks@tampabay.rr.com or to Richard Schmidt , Player Agent, at Schmidt@agi-engineers.com .
See “U” there !