The Backyard Batting Cage

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
February 2, 2012

Little League International is mourning the passing on Wednesday of one of its most dedicated volunteers, George Cahill of Delaware.

Mr. Cahill was the original treasurer of the World Series Committee when the event moved to Delaware in 2004, a move for which his input was instrumental. He had been on the Delaware District 3 staff since 1996.

In a story last year in the Sussex Countian, Mr. Cahill explained how his idea to host a post-season softball tournament (the annual Pat Knight tournaments) led to the area hosting the Senior league Softball World Series.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 27, 2012

The first Regional Round Tables began this morning at the San Bernardino Hilton, a two-day event that will help guide the direction of the Little League movement for the next two years.

All District Administrators (DA) and Assistant District Administrators (ADA) in each of the regions are invited to attend. The Western Region Round Table drew more than 210 attendees.

The agenda for each regional round table includes educational components as well as rules and regulation sessions. The agenda was developed from a survey completed by DAs and ADAs in that region. The survey allowed DAs and ADAs to submit a list of topics that they would like to see covered at the round table sessions.

DAs and ADAs are participating in the interactive regional round tables every four years, giving them a voice and a forum every two years when combined with International Congress events. Previously, volunteers in the field only had this opportunity once every three years.

Following the round tables, the Little League International Rules Committee will develop the agenda of potential changes to the Rules and Regulations. That agenda will be voted on by District Administrators worldwide on a date to be announced. Any item that receives a two-thirds majority vote will automatically go to the Little League International Board of Directors, which would decide whether or not it will be implemented.

"We're very pleased with the turnout at this first round table session," Patrick Wilson, Senior Vice President of Operations and Program Development. "Our volunteers realize that one of the benefits of membership in Little League is the ability to have a voice in changes to the rules and regulations. Since District Administrators are elected by and from the ranks of local volunteers, and the represent the interests of those leagues, every Little League volunteer is a part of this process."

The regional round table events are conducted by members of the Little League Regional Staff and Little League International Staff.

For a list of the Sponsors and Licensees that will be exhibiting at the various round tables, click here: http://www.littleleague.org/districtadmins/RegionalRoundTables/SponsorsLicenseesAttending.htm

Information on the other upcoming regional round tables can be found here: http://www.littleleague.org/districtadmins/RegionalRoundTables.htm

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 27, 2012

Little League Baseball and Softball has always been at the forefront regarding the safety and well-being of children.

In an effort to provide all Little League personnel with the most current information on concussions, the youth baseball organization has created an informational page on its website that also includes links to training information and ways to recognize signs and symptoms of a concussion.

As the assessment and treatment of concussions and concussion-like symptoms has evolved, many states have enacted laws designed to educate people about concussions, and protect the health and safety of young athletes. 

Little League International has compiled a summary of all currently-existing and proposed state laws regarding concussions. The summary of concussion-related state laws can be found at: http://www.littleleague.org/learn/programs/childprotection/concussions.htm.

Some state laws are only applicable to school-sponsored athletics, or to activities taking place on school-owned property. Other laws are applicable to all youth sports organizations, whether, or not, they are affiliated with a school district.
 
It is strongly-recommended that local leagues consult with legal counsel in their jurisdiction to determine the applicability of state laws regarding concussions occurring while children are participating in the Little League program.

Not every state has adopted concussion laws and not every state's concussion law is applicable to a local Little League program. Nevertheless, in keeping with its focus on protecting the health, safety and welfare of children, Little League Baseball and Softball strongly encourages all leagues and teams to not only comply with any applicable state laws, but also to review the information and training materials on concussions which is available (free of charge) on the Centers For Disease Control website. The latest concussion information from the Centers for Disease control can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_training.html.

It is essential that each league review this material in order to understand its responsibilities regarding when and how to address concussions.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 10, 2012

The 2012 Little League rulebooks have arrived and are available for purchase. As in previous years, the retail price for each of the three books (Baseball, Softball and Challenger Division) is $7 each.

As always, local leagues will receive a supply of free rulebooks (one per team) when applying for their annual charter. The support of our National Sponsors allows us to provide these to you.

Orders can be made in person; by phone (1-800-874-2852); or through the Little League On-Line Store, at: www.LittleLeagueStore.net. Shipping and additional charges will apply for all phone or Internet sales.

If a League President or District Administrator wishes to order more rulebooks at a discounted rate, he or she may do so by:

Presenting their League or District ID Number in person at the Little League Store on the Little League International Complex in South Williamsport, Pa. (price reduced to $2). Presenting their League or District ID Number by telephone when calling the Little League Store (price reduced to $2). Presenting their League or District ID Number in person at one of Little League’s five region headquarters in the United States (Eastern - Bristol, Conn.; Southeastern - Warner Robins, Ga.; Central - Indianapolis; Southwestern - Waco, Texas; Western - San Bernardino, Calif. - price reduced to $2).

The rules also are available electronically. The Little League E-Rules may be ordered by anyone for $20, and allows the purchaser to place a copy of the Baseball, Softball and Challenger Rule Books on any two computers.

Those League Presidents or District Administrators who present a League/District ID Number by one of the three methods listed above will receive a discount of $10 for every additional E-Rules subscription ordered. (District Administrators receive one free copy each.)

In the coming weeks, the 2012 Little League Baseball, Little League Softball and Little League Challenger Division rules and regulations also will be available through a mobile phone application created by FunMobility, a licensee of Little League Baseball and Softball. The app will be available for purchase on the Android marketplace and on iTunes.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 18, 2012

Barry Larkin, a former National League Most Valuable Player and World Series Champion, has participated in various Little League-related functions over the years. Little League International applauds his recent election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Mr. Larkin’s experiences with Little League include June 2005, when he served as Honorary Commissioner for the 12th

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 10, 2012

Since the Little League Urban Initiative decided to move its Jamboree concept from one national tournament to numerous state/regional tournaments in 2010, the initiative for boys and girls in urban neighborhoods has prospered. This year is no different with the addition of two jamborees and new venues.

Beginning with the Southern California Jamboree on April 27-29 in Los Angeles, Calif., nine jamboree events will take place over an eight-week period in seven different states and several different regions of the country. The number of jamborees has grown from four in the first year to seven in 2011 to the nine tournaments scheduled this year.

The program’s main goal is to bring the benefits of Little League Baseball and Softball to boys and girls in urban neighborhoods, with the jamborees allowing those same players the opportunity to participate in a tournament setting.

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Little League International Board of Directors and Senior Staff.

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 8, 2012

As a result of voting conducted online by volunteer District Administrators around the world, the Little League International Board of Directors on Saturday approved a measure to create a new division of Little League Baseball. The vote took place at the annual Spring Meeting, held at the Little League Western Region Headquarters in San Bernardino, Calif.

A complete list of the voting by District Administrators, and the action taken by the International Board of Directors and the International Tournament Committee on several other agenda items, is here: Round Table Voting Results.

Featuring a pitching distance of 50 feet and base paths of 70 feet, the new baseball division for players who are league-age 11-13 will be offered for the 2013 regular season. It will include postseason tournament opportunities, including a World Series.

The new baseball division will serve as a bridge between the current

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 8, 2012

Sunny Jim Park, the home of Joplin (Mo.) South Little League, was completely destroyed by an EF5 tornado less than one year ago. Recently, another step was taken by the league to get back on its feet. Musco Lighting Systems, a Little League sponsor since 1992, along with representatives from Capital Electric and the league recently teamed up to install a four-pole, 16-fixture lighting system.

To read more about the next step Joplin South Little League has made in its recovery effort, Click Here (PDF).

To read a story about the devastation caused by the tornado and the outpouring of help offered to the Joplin South Little League in the aftermath click on this link

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 9, 2012

Little League’s Green Acres facility in Hillsgrove, Pa., has operated Summer Baseball Camp for decades, but there will be no campers enjoying Sullivan County’s rolling hills this year, as a result of the flood that devastated the camp last fall.

Ray

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 10, 2012

The Little League Experience, hosted by Little League International and powered by Baseball Factory, will be held over the Memorial Day weekend, May 26-28, for the third consecutive year in South Williamsport, Pa.

The event offers the unique opportunity for Little Leaguers, league-age 11-12, to receive elite instruction and train on the fields at the home of the Little League Baseball World Series.

Players will receive more than 15 hours of instruction from a staff that includes former college coaches, former professional players and professional scouts. Instruction will cover all aspects of the game including hitting, fielding, pitching, throwing and base running.

Players will also be split into teams and play at least three games. Games will be played at Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums, the same venues used to play the World Series games each August. Each team will play at least one night game under the lights.

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 11, 2012

Jill Barker, a columnist for the Montreal Gazette, authored an interesting story about training for youth athletes that references the pitch count used by Little League Baseball.

Read Her Story

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By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
May 11, 2012

Little League International mourns the passing of Tullahoma (Okla.) American Little League volunteer Michael Thompson. He was 45.

Mr. Thompson of Normandy, Okla., served as regular-season and Little League International Tournament Manager for 15 seasons (1898-to-present).

A native of Richmond, Ky., Mr. Thompson guided teams to Little League Baseball Major Division district championships in 2006 and 2007. Mr. Thompson managed Tullahoma American Little League’s 2007 Little League Baseball team to a state title and into the Southeastern Region Championship game in St. Petersburg, Fla. His team finished one game short of a trip to the Little League World Series, losing the region final to eventual World Series champion Warner Robins American Little League.

Owner of Mike Thompson Ford located in Tullahoma; Mr. Thompson was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church, a member of the Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Executive Board, and CEO partner, and a member of the United Way.

Mr. Thompson is survived by his grandmother, Bernice McClammer; his father, George Michael Thompson; his mother, Brenda Mehring; his wife, Lori Thompson, sons, Jared, Joshua, Nicholas, Michael, Jr.; and Nathan; and daughters, Kayla and Olivia; one sister, Liz Baker; one grandson, Aiden Torres; and niece and nephews, Dalton, Dakota and Faith Baker and Jacob Friedman.

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Team rosters must be submitted to International annually. Failure to do so could result in ineligible players in the league during the regular season and tournament. (Regulation IV g.)

A player, manager or coach who is injured must be on roster at Little League International to be covered by Little League insurance. Exception: A local league board of directors may approve a number of

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
November 16, 2011

Little League International today announced a change to the regulations for 2012 that will allow more options in the teenage divisions of baseball.

Effective Jan. 1, 2012:

- The Senior League Baseball Division (previously limited to players league age 14-16) may now include players league age 13-16.

- The Big League Baseball Division (previously limited to players league age 16-18) may now include players league age 15-18.

- For Tournament Play, the age divisions will be: Junior League 13-14; Senior League 13-16; and Big League 15-18.

The Junior League Baseball Division remains for players league age 13-14 during the regular season. (Note: As before, 12-year-olds also are eligible for Junior League Baseball regular season play, under certain criteria.)

This gives local leagues wide latitude in tailoring their regular season teenage baseball divisions based on the available talent pool and age breakdown.

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
November 2, 2011

In an effort to provide timely information on bat rules, Little League International today announced the bat specifications and standards for the 2012 season.

 

      

Here are the highlights, followed by the actual text of the 2012 baseball bat rules:

For the Little League Major Baseball Division and below: The moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats remains in effect. However, some composite-barreled baseball bats that have been proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance Factor) standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) process, have received waivers. That list is here: Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4 Bats.

Note that in the Little League Majors Baseball Division and below, there is no limit on the

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
November 23, 2011

A downloadable PDF version of these changes is available as well:
2012 Rule Changes

Little League International today announced the full list of significant changes that will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2012, to the policies, rules and regulations of the program.

In order to give timely information to parents and leagues, some of the changes were announced several weeks ago. One change, in the bat regulations, has been further updated since the first announcement. The update clarifies the penalty for using an illegal bat.

A list of all the significant changes, along with a summary and explanation of the changes, is below:

 

POLICY

Residence Eligibility Requirements for all divisions of play has been amended to read, in part:

Residence shall be established and supported by documents, dated or in force between February 1, 2011 (previous year) and February 1, 2012 (current year), from THREE OR MORE of the following categories to determine residency of such parent(s) or guardian:

Summary and Implementation:  For the 2012 season, this requires players’ parents or guardians to provide residency documentation dated or in force between February 1, 2011 (previous year) and February 1, 2012 (current year). This means, for instance, that a Driver’s License that was issued a number of years earlier, but was in force between the dates noted, is acceptable. However, a utility bill that is dated outside of the dates noted, is not acceptable.

 

REGULATIONS

Regulation I(c)(9) for all divisions of play has been amended to read, in part:

Note 1: The United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Registry is free and available at www.nsopr.gov.

Note 2: Little League International currently provides each league with access to 125 free criminal background checks per year. Due to the refusal of the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan & Virginia to provide sex offender registry data to the records check provider, the free criminal background checks no longer meet the minimum Little League requirement of a nationwide search of the sex offender registry. Sex offender registry data for the four states listed above are currently only available through the Department of Justice National Sex Offender Registry (www.nsopr.gov) and/or through the individual state’s sex offender registry website.

In addition to meeting the minimum requirement of checking the United States Department of Justice National Sex Offender Registry, (www.nsopr.gov), Little League strongly encourages all leagues to also utilize the national criminal records search available through the Little League website. This additional criminal records check may provide additional important information regarding the criminal records of individuals whose crimes do not require that they be listed on a sex offender registry. For example, convictions for assault, battery, theft or drug offenses would not result in a report to sex offender registry.

Information on how to utilize this benefit, as well as how to conduct back ground checks, can be found on the Little League website at www.littleleague.org/learn/programs/childprotection.htm

Summary and Implementation: For the 2012 season, this modifies Note 1 and 2 in Regulation I(c)(9) to highlight changes in the laws/procedures of four states with regard to sex offender registries, and the free criminal background checks Little League strongly recommends.

Regulation I(a)