Each month, Little League® International is providing a quick look at important information and events for the month ahead. We invite you to review and share with your colleagues and friends. Another great resource for keeping up to date on Little League’s latest training and educational efforts is Little League University. Designed for volunteers, league and District Administrators, coaches, and parents, this free website is a wonderful portal for experiencing and learning about the Little League.
Little League Prepares for PLAY BALL Weekend
Little League Baseball and Softball will once again be teaming up with Major League Baseball for PLAY BALL Weekend on June 3-4, and is encouraging local Little League programs from around the world to join in on the opportunity by hosting their own events that weekend. PLAY BALL Weekend is a special celebration, by Major League Baseball and all 30 MLB Clubs, of the “PLAY BALL” initiative, which was launched by MLB and USA Baseball in 2015 as an effort to encourage youth participation in both formal and casual baseball and softball activities. More details on Little League International’s PLAY BALL Weekend event will be available on LittleLeague.org later in May.
Little League Gets Ready for the Tournament Season
With tournament season quickly approaching, Little League International will be putting together a one-stop landing page this May on LittleLeague.org that will provide leagues with all the necessary information needed to navigate through this busy time of year. Also as a reminder, the updated Data Center at LittleLeague.org/DataCenter will soon be ready for online tournament enrollment and affidavits.
Important Reminders for Local League Operations
Here are some of the important things that your league should be considering this month, and some resources from Little League University to help guide the way. For these tips, as well as additional information, be sure to check out the Little League Bulletin Board each month.
• Begin budgeting for post-season/tournament costs
• Order your championship banners
• Nominate volunteers for Little League Awards
• Utilize the updated Little League Data Center
• Familiarize yourself with updated rules and regulations for tournament play
• Plan for any mid-season or end-of-season special games
• Open the discussion to organize postseason opportunities like Second Season
Little League Honors All Its Volunteers During National Volunteer Week
During the last week in April, Little League International took time to honor its more than one million volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Little League thanks all of its volunteers for their time, dedication, and hard work that makes the Little League program what it is today. You know better than anyone that you don’t get to volunteer like this anywhere else.
Little League Magazine Distribution
It’s that time of year again! Last month, more than one million Little Leaguers received Little League Magazine in the mail. The annual magazine is filled with stories and photos of Major Leaguers who played Little League when they were children, playing tips from the pros, stories about current Little Leaguers®, details from the Little League Baseball and Softball World Series, games, puzzles and more. There is no subscription available to obtain the Little League magazine. About one million Little Leaguers whose leagues have submitted rosters to Little League International will receive it by mail, and everyone will be able to access the new issue, with Puerto Rico Little League graduate Carlos Correa on the cover, at LittleLeagueMagazine.org.
Stay Up-to-Date with Little League’s Bat Information
With the implementation of the new USA Baseball Bat Standard in 2018, Little League International has assembled an online resource page dedicated to baseball bat information. The landing page, found at LittleLeague.org/BatInfo, includes the latest bat information, current Little League Baseball rules and regulations governing bats, definition of terms, the moratorium on the use of composite bats, and a series of frequently asked questions, with answers and licensed bat lists.