Welcome to the beginning of the new 2012 Baseball and Softball season!  I am privileged to be the new President of the Hillsboro R3 Little League Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors has begun a transformation process of the league that will offer many positive and exciting changes to enhance the experience of the players and parents this year.  Among those changes are the following:

Website:  This new website will be the main source of league information for everyone – players, parents, managers, coaches, umpires, and visitors.  Always check the website for all league information and announcements.  As the season unfolds, you will be able to check the website for schedules, game results, divisional standings, forms, equipment information, rule changes, and much more.

On-line Registration:  We are introducing and requiring all registrations to be done on our website.  Everyone will now have the convenience to register their players through the website.  No more endless forms to fill out and waiting lines.  For those families that do not have internet service, we will still have in-person registrations with computers set up for you to register.  Also, for subsequent years, the player information will be retained and available for future year’s registrations so you will not have to enter it again.

Credit Card Payments Accepted:  Player registration fees and concession stand purchases will now be able to be paid using your credit card.  Registration payment by check may also be mailed in.

Concession Stand:  The concession stand committee has hired a new manager and is committed to making the process more efficient and reducing the long waiting lines.  We will also be staffing and providing snacks and drinks for sale directly at the fields from our mobile food cart so spectators do not have to miss a moment of the game. 

Concession Stand Work Requirement:   As in the past, each family will still be required to work one shift in the concession stand this season, however, you will be able to select a day to work at registration.  We will no longer assign the date by team, and the work assignment will be for the entire shift of approximately four hours.  Since the concession stand is a key income source for the league’s operation, it is vital that we maintain a full staff each night.  Unfortunately, we have had problems in past years with parents forgoing their work responsibility, therefore, we will require a more substantial deposit of $100.  There will also be a buy-out opportunity for $75, or an alternative opportunity to contact individuals willing to trade or work your shift whose contact information will be posted on the website.  There may be a privately negotiated fee involved.

Major Boys 50-70 League:  One of the most dramatic and significant changes to the league this year is that all Major Boys baseball divisions (ages 11 -12) will convert to the 50-70 program.  This new program will provide a true transitional league between the Minors and the Juniors by extending the pitching distance from the current 46 feet to 50 feet, and the base paths from 60 feet to 70 feet.  Additionally, they will follow the Junior baseball rules of play, that is, base lead-offs, pick-off plays, balks, dropped-third-strike live ball, etc. – generally true regulation baseball rules.  Regulation baseball distances that are followed from the Junior division (13 – 14 yr olds) and up to the professional level are 60’6” pitching distance and 90’ base paths.  For years the jump for players moving from the Majors to the Juniors was an ordeal.  Not only did the players have to cope with the distances, they also had to learn new rules and game strategies that these rules presented.  Often players would elect to leave our league and play in the various “select” leagues that already use transitional distances and rules for this age group.  This 50-70 change will hopefully be more attractive to those players and parents, and provide the players with more time to develop and learn new skills.

Field Maintenance:    The new Field Maintenance committee is committed to providing properly maintained fields that are ready for each scheduled league game.  That means fields are to be graded, watered, lined, grass and weeds trimmed, etc.  More porta-potties will be available for the remote fields.  Dugouts will be repaired and additional enhancements to promote safety will be initiated.

Umpires:   Trained, fully uniformed, and reliable umpires have been a source of numerous complaints over the years.  Last year we saw improvement, and this year promises to be even better.

Rainouts:  Game cancellations will be posted immediately on the website and automatic emails or text messages will be sent to those players scheduled to play on the rained out fields.

These are a few of the exciting changes for this 2012 season.  On behalf of the Board of Directors, I hope that you and your child’s experience  is a positive one, and helps to develop their skills and enthusiasm.  We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Brad Femmer
President