Dear Avon Parents,

I’d like to take a minute to look back on 2008 and give some updated information for the 2009 season.  If you are new to Avon, welcome and we look forward to having you join our program.  Avon Little League is a Charter Member of Little League International, the largest youth organization in the world.  We are a non-profit, privately funded organization governed by volunteers.  We follow the guidelines of Little League International for Baseball & Softball.

2008 was a banner year for our program with 3 District Championships and Avon Little League’s first ever State Championship in the 11 year old division.  We also had numerous coaches and players come together after our regular season to form teams that achieved equally impressive results in both local and statewide tournaments.  Again congratulations to all that were involved.

Looking ahead for 2009, I want to outline some changes and ask for your help as well.  As I stated, we are an entirely volunteer organization and although our 22-member board is already in place, we will definitely need help with Managers & Coaches.  As our community has continued to grow so has the number of boys & girls involved in our program.  Nowhere is that more evident than in the 5-8 year old age range.  We will need many more people to get involved in the T-Ball and Coach Pitch age group than in the past.  When you are registering please be sure to fill out the volunteer form if you would like to be considered to be a  Manager or Coach.  There is nothing like spending quality time with your own children & their friends as you teach the game of baseball.

Some Highlighted Changes for 2009:

Rookie Baseball (8 year old boys) – We are making a change this season and the second half of the schedule will be played with a format that allows kids to pitch instead of using the machine the entire game.  In lieu of an All-Star team, we will have an All-Star game. 26 players will be appointed to the two teams by a Manger’s vote to play one game under the lights.

Minor Baseball (9, 10 & 11 year old boys) – An evaluation day will be scheduled in March in order for the coaches to see the boys perform some basic baseball skills prior to the draft.  No 10 year old player will be eligible for the Major League draft.  Any 11 year old player not drafted in the Major League draft will be entered in the Minor League draft.

Major Baseball (11 & 12 year old boys) – A tryout day will take place in March prior to the draft.  All 12 year old boys will automatically be drafted in the Majors.  All 11 year old boys will be eligible for the draft, but only enough will be selected to fill out the 10 teams’ 12 man rosters. We do not know how many boys this will affect, if any, but it could happen. You asked so you shall receive…. no regular season night games until school is out!

Girls Softball (9-12) – Both girls Major & Minor leagues will play regularly scheduled games Monday – Thursday.  This will allow teams to form (outside of Avon Little League) to play weekend tournaments.

In addition, our new website (which is currently under construction) will be up and running prior to the new season.  All schedules, re-scheduled games, and rainout information will be available on the new site along with all rules and additional information.

As I stated earlier, we are a privately funded, not-for profit organization.  If you are interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor for 2009, please contact Greg Botson @ 937-5240 for further details.  This is a great way to help the community and secure an additional tax write off.

We will once again have an Avon Little League Night at Progressive Field.  The date for this year’s event is Tuesday, June 16^th.  Each registered player will receive a FREE ticket with the purchase of one adult ticket.  Multiple player families must purchase an even number of adult tickets to the required player tickets.

Lastly, please keep an eye out on the website and via e-mail for upcoming events such as player & coaches clinics and additional promotions with the Lake Erie Crushers & Avon High School baseball/softball programs.  If you have any questions, please feel to contact me.

Sincerely,

Steve Sopko

President, Avon Little League

Sopko8@yahoo.com