Waterford Little League South: Old WLLS News

To all Players, Parents, Coaches and Staff of Waterford Little League South,

It is an honor and a privilege to be writing you as President of Waterford Little League South. For the past ten years as a resident of Waterford, I have enjoyed seeing the Waterford High School Softball and Baseball teams reap the rewards of a successful youth feeder program by watching them consistently have success during regular season play, and post season tournaments. In addition to the High School success, the recent runs of outstanding play in Sectional, Regional and National tournaments by our youth softball teams, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball teams, all point towards a record of accomplishment through youth instruction and coaching at the Little League level.

From these examples of hard work and dedication to the teaching of fundamentals and skill development, I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and will rely on the help and guidance of those who came before me. My philosophy on youth sports is simple, create an environment where our children can learn and develop a passion for a lifetime of enjoyment in their chosen sport. Our goal as a youth league shouldn’t be based on the number of championships we win, but rather the number of student/athletes we send to High School, and hopefully on to College. However, that is not to say there is not a place for our children to experience competition and to test themselves on the field, where the outcome of a game decides whether or not you continue to play on.

An important part of any organization is communication. Good constructive, effective communication can help to outline expectations of what the league expects of it’s players and parents, as well as what the league is going to provide for your children. Little League, as with most youth organizations, is a member driven organization that is run from the “bottom” up, not the “top” down. What this means is that every member of Little League, you the players and parents, have the ability to get involved in helping to guide what direction the league goes in. The league needs the help and support of its members. To this end, Waterford Little League South will adopt, and put in place for the upcoming season, a Code of Conduct provided by the Waterford Youth Sports Council that will outline these expectations.

Another integral part of an organization is the continued education of the people involved, not to become complacent or stale, but rather to try and stay on the leading edge of advancement and technology. Building better training and practice facilities is essential to the continued development of our children. Having better equipment for our children to learn with will provide a safer environment for our children. Providing places for “recreational” and “competitive” players and parents to co-exist. Establishment of coaching and parent education programs to better serve our children.

Lastly, I call upon you to volunteer. We, Waterford Little League South, need the support from you the members to restore our league to the place our children deserve it to be, the league with the quietly confident players and parents who enjoy the sport of baseball, the league with the best fields and facilities, and the league that other leagues look to as an example of how to behave and get things done. To that end, please review the following Committee list and volunteer positions that are open, looking to be filled:

Board of Director Positions:

League Information Officer

Coaching Coordinator 

Executive Committee: President of our Local League (chairman) plus 2 to 4 more Directors from the Board of Directors and the Chairpersons from the “Other Committees”. The Executive Committee shall advise and assist the Board of Directors of our league in all matters concerning the interests and management of our league, and shall have such powers as the Board delegates, such as the administrative and legislative functions of our Local League.

Other Committees:

Nominating Committee: 0 to 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall investigate and consider eligible candidates for consideration to the Board of Directors and any other committee of our Local League. 

Membership Committee: 0 to 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall receive the names of prospective Honorary, Sustaining and Regular Members, investigate their eligibility and recommend those qualified for election at the annual, regular or any special meeting of the Members or the Board of Directors as the case may be. 

Finance Committee: 3-5 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members (Treasurer is ex officio member). This committee shall investigate ways and means our league could finance itself (sponsorships, in-game collections, etc...). 

Building and Property Committee: 1 Director, not more than 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall investigate and recommend suitable sites, plans for development, and repair and improvement recommendations (other than normal maintenance to fields, etc...) and offer ways and means to complete these projects, including supervision of these projects. 

Grounds Committee: 1 Director, not more than 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall be responsible for the care and maintenance of our playing fields, buildings and grounds and shall operate within a specified budget for these items. 

Playing Equipment Committee: 1 Director, not more than 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall be responsible for the securing of bids and making recommendations on the purchase of equipment and necessary supplies for equipping our children to play baseball/softball in our league. They are also responsible for the repair, cleaning and storage of equipment and supplies for the league. 

Managers Committee: 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall be responsible for the interview and investigation of prospective managers and coaches, all divisions baseball/softball, for recommendation to the President for his/her appointment and subsequent approval by the Board of Directors. It is also responsible for the observation of conduct by all managers/coaches during the season, practices and games, and act as investigator on complaints towards managers/coaches and report such findings to the Board or President, as the case may be. 

Umpire Committee: Local League President, Baseball, Softball and Minor League Commissioners and other appointed Regular Members. The committee shall recruit, interview and recommend to the President for appointment, a staff of umpires, including a chief umpire and replacements. 

District Committee: Local League President plus 1 Director from the Board of Directors. This committee shall assist the District Administrator in interleague district functions. 

Auxiliary Committee: Treasurer and 1 Director from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. This committee shall coordinate, review and evaluate auxiliary projects for raising money and disposition of profits to the Board of Directors. 

Auditing Committee: 3 Directors (not President, Treasurer or any other signatory) and other appointed Regular Members. This committee will review the league's books annually, prior to the annual meeting, and attach a statement of its finding to the financial statement or secure the services of a Certified Public Accountant to do such a review. 

Minor League Committee: 0 to 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members; the Minor League Commissioner is the Chairperson of this committee. This committee shall report to the President on the establishment and execution of a proper Tee Ball/Minor League operation, including conduct of players, parents and managers/coaches.

Baseball Committee: 0 to 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members; the Baseball Commissioner is the Chairperson of this committee. This committee shall report to the President on the establishment and execution of a proper Minor/Major League operation, including conduct of players, parents and managers/coaches. 

Softball Committee: 0 to 3 Directors from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members; the Softball Commissioner is the Chairperson of this committee. This committee shall report to the President on the establishment and execution of a proper Minor/Major League operation, including conduct of players, parents and managers/coaches.

Protest Committee: 1 Director from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. The Committee shall also consist of our Minor League Commissioner, our Baseball Commissioner, and our Softball Commissioner, and shall act as a sub-committee of the Executive Committee. The appointed Chairperson of any such Committee shall report directly to the Executive Committee.

Disciplinary Committee: 1 Director from the Board of Directors and other appointed Regular Members. The Committee shall also consist of our Minor League Commissioner, our Baseball Commissioner, and our Softball Commissioner, and shall act as a sub-committee of the Executive Committee. The appointed Chairperson of any such Committee shall report directly to the Executive Committee. 

In addition to these positions, the Constitution for our league is now on the website for review. The next step in our process will be finalizing our bylaws and local rules. 

I look forward to this upcoming season and the enjoyment of watching our children play baseball and softball for our great league. As you can see, there are a lot of opportunities for volunteers in our league to help make this experience great for our children. Please take a moment and find a spot to get involved, it will help make a difference!

I thank you all for the opportunity to introduce myself,

Rich Pettit, President

Waterford Little League South