Little League

The last few weeks has been taken up with Little League, Little League and more Little League. Parts of it were good, like winning, but other parts were completely the opposite. It was frustrating, poorly organized and conducted.

The reactions vary depending on whether people were associated with Hills North or Hills South. Hills North won so they think it was wonderful while some parents from Hills South were prepared to walk away from Baseball in a reaction to the manner in which the tournament was conducted – their reaction had nothing to do with the results.

Hills wrote three letters of protest, one for each day of the tournament. Before the competition we complained about the draw (and were proved correct). The second was an appeal over what was a bad decision to award a game against Hills after it beat Bankstown. That appeal was successful and the result overturned. The third letter was the strongest worded letter of all three when it became obvious that the rules of the competition were not going to be followed.

Throughout the tournament Baseball NSW ‘rolled the dice’ and hoped results would fall their way – in the end they did. We stand by our claim that the tournament was a fiasco. It should go down in history as the only tournament played to double elimination rules where teams from the ‘Losers Pool’ play fewer games than team qualifying from the ‘Winners Pool’. Furthermore, it took three losses for one team to be eliminated.

The pitching rules were just ridiculous – not Little League rules – pitchers were limited 70 pitches for the entire tournament which was always going to a minimum of five or six games. This actually suited the Hills teams which were both selected with at least 12 players who could pitch.

The big ‘pitch’ of Little League was that you can go to the LL World Series. Fine but first you have to win the Sydney elimination tournament – but you did not have enough pitches to allow your best pitcher to throw a minor on Saturday and then a major on Sunday!

Why cannot Baseball NSW / ABF be honest as to what they really want? – that is they want the LL Brand and the opportunities that it brings for overseas tours but don’t really want to follow all the rules and regulations.

The downside of the weekend is that our reputation took a big hit. Some people claim Sydney North were leniently treated for perceived rule breaches. Our tactics in one game I would never have done given the situation of the game. That was not actually the case but coaches clearly did not understand the rules. The effect of that will be a loss of support in JLSC. We had the coach of North and two replacement coaches suspended for rule breaches.

Best way to describe Little League is it was fun until winning become important.

Having won the right to play in Queensland we found ourselves on our own. There has been no ‘blocks’ of accommodation booked or organised. There are four or five significant events to be held over the June long weekend which is the same time as the LL championships.

Up until yesterday Baseball NSW had offered zero other than capping the cost at $550 per player. Actually we were pleased that we are ‘free’ to make our own arrangements. In the end we will negotiate with Baseball NSW as our arrangements could saved Baseball NSW $000s and can be adapted to include Country – therefore saving Baseball NSW even more money. Whether they accept the deal – who knows!

Waverley won the Victorian LL play offs last weekend. Waverley has been a very strong club for a long, long time in Victoria. Waverley was the only single club team in the competition the other teams were the ‘joining’ of two clubs for the purpose of LL to produce five areas – one which appears to have included Victoria Provincial.

Winter

٠ Winter Development has commenced. It is a much earlier start than before and it has a different structure this year. This is not ideal or really by choice – rather it is one of necessity as we have to find two Little League teams next year and our ‘base’ is a lot weaker next year than it was this year.

There are two sessions on Tuesday night (5.45 pm to 7pm and 6.45pm to 9pm) plus Sunday Development. The split between early and late sessions on Tuesday was by age. In total there were 66 players invited. The ‘pick up’ rate is not that good. There are 28 players (too many) in the late session and acceptances are still dribbling in for the early session but there will be at least 15 in that session.

The response by clubs to the request to nominate players was poor. Some just ignored the request. Those that answered in a timely manner benefited in the number of players invited.

٠ The winter competitions appear to be on track. Under 12 and 14 competitions will commence on 27 April. The Under12 and 16 competitions have increased number of teams. The Under 14 competition is a team down. Nominations are:-

• Under 12 – Quakers Hill (not confirmed), Kings Langley, North Shore, Baulkham Hills, Castle Hill.
• Under 14 - Quakers Hill (not confirmed), Blacktown, Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills.
• Under 16 – NSWJBL 2 teams, Winston Hills, Schofields, and Hawkesbury.

I cannot see the Little League draft system working in the winter Under 12 competition as the team from Kings Langley wish to play together. The North Shore team comprises Japanese and I really cannot see Quakers Hill players not wanting to play with their mates. The idea to play all games at one venue may also not work as there simply not enough clubs not involved. I just cannot see Kellyville, Hawkesbury, Winston Hills or anyone else without teams wanting to be involved in setting up diamonds or providing Umpires for a low key competition.

The cost of team nomination for winter will be $110.

٠ Winston Hills team won the Under 14 Champions of Champions defeating Cronulla 15-0. Baulkham Hills Under 12 were eliminated in the semi finals. Kings Langley was defeated 7-0 by Greenway in the first round of the Under 16. That tournament also appeared to have had ‘movable’ rules.

٠ The issue on the change of age-eligibility date is nearing a time when we have to vote. I am concerned that clubs will be influenced as to what is best for its first division teams rather than an educated vote as to the overall benefit or otherwise of Hills overall. What suits one year may not suit the next year.

My concern is the Under 17 competitions and the effect that a change in eligibility date truncates this age group by restricting the flow of 14 year olds into that competition. Once players are eligible to play Under 18 they will ‘move on’ from Juniors.

Our strength as an association is that we are able to offer graded competitions. Once we lose that ability then the players of lesser ability will cease to play. What do we do with the 30 odd players leaving Under 12 and move to Under 15. It splits teams to the point that the little clubs have half a team in Under 13 and have a team in Under 15.

In my own mind I am positive that the ABF will not be changing from the format of Under 14, 16 and 18 National Championship. My ‘mail’ was that the ABF asked that no announcement re made re ages until later in this year.

If you conduct a separate Little League competition again next year and keep it away from Club Baseball, which will be both Peter’s and my recommendation, there is no need to alter the age group. Representative players will have to play in the mid week competition or not play representative baseball.

Actually it was interesting to hear a comment of an ABF person who believed that the way Hills conducted LL was the best way. At least he was honest in saying all they should want is the LL Brand name

٠ It is the time of the year that Clubs will be holding their Annual General Meeting. It would be appreciated if you could advise the details of your Club’s Executive. Unfortunately Clubs (and Hills) are losing, or about to lose, the services of very good and loyal administrators who have provided yeoman service to their clubs over a number of years. To those people Thank You for the time and effort you have given to Baseball in Hills.

٠ The breakaway bases for Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill arrived today. Clubs requiring additional anchors should contact Castle Hill club which is considering manufacturing what they need.

Business arising from Secretary’s Report:

• Baseball NSW is now booking the accommodation and air travel. The options appear to be constantly changing as does the draw.
• Each team involved in the Winter Junior competition is to provide an umpire. Baulkham Hills have a few ‘extra’ players in Under 12 however need players for Under 14.

The Secretary’s report was accepted.

• There was a sample of breakaway bases available at the meeting
• The numbers of players for the overseas tour teams is more encouraging. The appointment of coaches has been deferred pending the viability of the teams.
• Association reports are due before the April meeting.

• Statement of Financial Position was presented.
• Payments were approved.
• Debtors and liabilities were disclosed.

Cal Ripken Tournament: Mr. Schmidt advised that there are trials being conducted for the Australian Cal Ripken Tournament team. Age eligibility is for players born after 1 May, 1995. Cost is $5K which does not include accommodation.

Eligibility birth date: Mr. Yard advised that Hills will soon have to make a decision as to whether to change the eligibility date for players. He was adamant that the National Age Championships will not alter – Little League doesn’t impact on the domestic competition if we again conduct a separate competition.

The change of date will have a dramatic affect on the Under 17 competition within two seasons as it ‘starves’ the Under 17 competition of the first year players. That will result in a lack of players – lack of players will mean we will not be able to conduct graded competitions. That fact alone will mean a real loss of players of lesser ability. Hills’ strength is its ability to conduct graded competitions.

Mr. Schmidt produced information from the Data Base projection the player numbers if the birthdates change. There is not a significant difference. Mr. Niemi stated that the Little League competition should be run as a Saturday competition as the Little League did not attract all the best players in Hills

Mr Schmidt advised the main format of Hills Little League is geographical boundaries – they were designed so that the Hills teams would be relatively of equal strength. The post code boundaries split Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill. Mr. Yard stated that Hills should not be concerned about representative teams – our concern should be all about the Hills domestic competition.

Annual Meetings/New Committees: It is AGM season.

• Kellyville – Mr. Petrone reported that Kellyville has conducted the AGM. Its Executive remains the same.
• Carlingford: Mr. Borg introduced Mark Power who will be the Delegate to Hills’ meetings. Carlingford has held its AGM – there are three of four ‘new faces’.
• Schofields: Mr. Tossell advised Schofields has had its AGM. Mr. Tossell did not seek re-election. The President is now Brad Brown. Mr. Tossell advised that he is not continuing as the Delegate to Hills.
• Castle Hill: Mr. Niemi advised Castle Hill President is Eddie Bray replacing Kevin Ryan, who did not seek re-election and has ‘given away’ baseball altogether.
• Winston Hills: Ms. Foley advised Winston Hills’ AGM is scheduled for 4 May. J. Hook is standing down as President and Mrs. Sloggett is also standing down as Vice President.
• Rouse Hill: Mrs. Douglas advised that Rouse Hill has conducted its AGM. Mr. Clapson is President, Mrs. Barone did not seek re-election as Secretary.

Champion of Champions: Mrs. Foley reported that Winston Hills won the Under 14 Champion of Champions Tournament. Mr. Blundell reported Kings Langley’s Under 17 Youth League team was eliminated in the first round of the competition. Mr. Blundell stated that Baulkham Hills team would have been better suited for the competition. Baulkham Hills Under 12 team was eliminated in the semi finals.

Presentations: Mrs. Fox thanked Mr. Schmidt for making the presentation of Under 17 Premiership trophies to Baulkham Hills players at the club’s Presentation Day.