August President's Message

Four County LL has been busy since the end of the regular season.  Some folks don't realize, but we have events through the summer and the entire year.  For this months President's message, I thought I would highlight some "goings ons".

• The Majors Orioles competed in the 2013 Maryland District 2 Tournament of Champions.
• The 10/11 All Star team competed in Little League International Tournament and finished 3rd in District 2.
• Our very first Intermediate Division Team earned the District 2 Title and went on to compete in the inaugural Maryland State Intermediate Tournament.  The team finished 2nd in the state.
• The league hosted the aforementioned Maryland State Tournament at Summit Ridge and by all accounts it was a huge success.  We heard nothing by compliments from the teams involved.
• The 11/12 team competed in the Little League International Tournament.
• The Minors All Star Team competed in the 2nd Annual Frederick American LL Minors tournament and finished 3rd.
• The league had a "Night at the Key's" where they were recognized for attending.
• The league participated in the Mt. Airy Fireman's Carnival Dunk Tank.  The league operated the booth and got some great exposure.
• The league participated in the Mt. Airy Fireman's parade and took 2nd place for "Best appearing float".

 

So as you can see, we have been very busy this summer.  The fall will be no less busy.  We will have a full schedule of games as well as the annual meeting and elections.  Finally, we will participate in the Mt. Airy Fall Festival the first weekend in October.  If you want to stay up to date with everything going on, log on to our website at www.fcllbaseball.org.

June President's Message

I love these pictures.  They say it all.  I know I have said this before, but I will say it again, Four County Little League is about everyone in the family getting involved.  Moms and Dads, don't hesitate to ask how you can help.  Volunteer umpires is a big part of our organization.  We need more of them.  It is never too late to get involved.  If you want to help out, just ask.  We would love to show you how to umpire.  Remember, you don't have to be perfect.  And don't forget, the best place to watch the game is on the field.  If you have any questions about umpiring, let me know.

June 2013 PCA Player of the Month

Four County Little League is a Positive Coaching Alliance League.  Our Coaches are Double Goal Coaches and our parents are Second Goal Parents.  Our players are Triple Impact Competitors.  Each month, we will highlight a few of our Triple Impact Competitors.

The Triple Impact Competitor has three main facets:

• Personal Mastery: Making oneself better
• Leadership: Making one's teammates better
• Honoring the Game: Making the game better.

Each month we recognize players who live up to these three points. The coaches and managers nominate the player and then two are chosen.  

This month we have one winner:

Jeremiah (Levi) Johnson

I have never seen a player more positive.  I have seen him on and off the field.  He cheers for his teammates and also cheers for the opposing team.  As an adult, you expect a child to be polite, by Levi is VERY polite.  He usually says "Yes Sir" and "Yes ma'am".  He is a leader on his team and tries to keep their spirits up when they are down.  He Honors the game with Respect for the rules, officials, opponents, his team and himself.  He is truly a class act and other kids should look to him as a model of how to act not only as a ball player, but as a good person.  Keep up the good work Levi.  Submitted by Anonymous

PCA Player(s) of the Month (May 2013)

Four County Little League is a Positive Coaching Alliance League.  Our Coaches are Double Goal Coaches and our parents are Second Goal Parents.  Our players are Triple Impact Competitors.  Each month, we will highlight a few of our Triple Impact Competitors.

The Triple Impact Competitor has three main facets:

• Personal Mastery: Making oneself better
• Leadership: Making one's teammates better
• Honoring the Game: Making the game better.

Each month we recognize players who live up to these three points. The coaches and managers nominate the player and then two are chosen.  

This month we have several winners.

Colin Gregowich

Colin is focused, supportive of his teammates, and opponents. He shows total respect for the umpire crews and the coaches from both his and the opponents team. Colin has 100% dedication and shows unwavering support for the team and individuals.  Great Kid and perfect example of a FCLL PCA Player! Submitted by Coach Jason Love.

Paul Wells

this young man displays all the attributes you want to see in a ballplayer or a student. never gives up, takes the good with the bad with the same smile on his face, he is a pleasure to coach and I'm proud he's on the Spartans. Submitted by Coach Brian Johnson.

Trevor Zior

Trevor has proven to be a natural leader on the field as a defensive player, or when at bat. He is a great catcher, and often takes time in between pitches to encourage the pitcher to slow or calm down if things are getting off track. He is also frequently the first one in the infield to shout the number of outs and where the play is after a play has completed.

When at bat, he often leads the rest of the dugout in cheering for the team member at bat and is a big believer in that the Orioles only succeed as a team. Submitted by Coach Don Poorman.

May President's Message

Usually, my President's Message is inspirational in some way and designed to help our parents, coaches and players be the best they can be.  This month, I am reserving my space for a huge announcement   It is with great pleasure that I bring you the following news.

The 2013, inaugural season, Intermediate Division Maryland State Tournament has been awarded to District 2 (Four County Little League) and will be held at Summit Ridge Park.

This is both a great honor and a great challenge.  We have lots to do.  We need a committee to get together very quickly to start to work on this.  The event start on or about July 6 and should last about a week.

I am very excited about this on a number of fronts.  This is a great opportunity to promote our league, our district and the town of Mt. Airy which is our center and our base.

This is going to be a big effort and we will need volunteers to help.  Keep in mind, FCLL may not have a team involved, but it is still important to provide a great experience for all the kids from around the state.  There should be about 5 districts involved and one of our goals is to make this successful so that leagues want to expand their Intermediate programs for next season.  The winner of this tournament will go on to the Regional tournament held in New York.  The winner of that tournament will then go to the World Series held in CA.

Many folks don't realize that FCLL is more than just a great place to play baseball in the spring.  We are part of Little League International.  Little League, each summer, operates numerous International Tournaments that FC competes in.  This year is the inaugural season for the Intermediate Division and we are so excited to promote both the league, the division and our district by hosting this event.  If nothing else, mark your calendars for that week and stop by and see some very high level baseball.  Keep in mind, one of the teams that wins could make it to the World Series.

If you are interested in helping with the event, please email president@fcllbaseball.org

2013 Hit-A-Thon / Picture Day...

For those new to FCLL the "Hit-A-Thon" may be new to you, but this is our 13th year for this very fun day. This fund-raiser allows the players to actively participate in fundraising. This is a great opportunity to let the players showcase the hitting skills they learned throughout the season and will be a fun day for the whole family. This fundraiser is our only major sources of income that pays for most of our operating expenses and we need your support. The Hit-AThon will take place on Saturday, May 11th at Russell Windsor Field.  This is in conjunction with Pictures, so you don't want to miss this event.  A full schedule will be provided very soon.

Our Goal is $100.00 per player, $1000.00 per team & $29,000 for the league...Lofty goals, but it can be obtained. 

The rules are as follows:

• Players earn hits for every $10 in flat donations obtained (click here for donation form) or (click here to set up your online donation site). For example: a player obtains $35 in donations; this player would earn 3 at-bats. There is no limit to the amount of contributions the player can collect but a maximum of 10 at-bats can be obtained due to time considerations. 
• An at-bat consists of hitting a fair ball a minimum distance of 20 ft. (The fields will be lined) For T-Ball Clinic/T-Ball/Rookie/Minor divisions, a tee will be used. The distance measured will be how far the ball travels until it stops rolling.  For Major/Intermediate/Juniors divisions, a front soft toss be used. The distance measured will be determined by how far the ball travels in flight.
• A time schedule for each division and team will come out prior to the event. If you cannot make your assigned time please let us know ASAP to see if other arrangements can be made.

For every player who earns $30.00 or more, he/she will recieve an awesome surprise gift. Other prizes could be earned as well. Prizes will be awarded for the most earned, the longest drives, etc. 

Top Earner Prizes

1. $200.00 Gift Card to Extra Innings
2. $100.00 Gift Card to Dick's Sporting Goods
3. $50.00 Gift Card
4. $25.00 Gift Card
5. Throw out first pitch at the FCLL Keys game in July.

For the teams who raise $1500.00 or more, we will provide a gift card for a pizza party for your team...

These prizes will be awarded during the End-of-Year event  

The concession stand will be open all day.

We need volunteers to make this day be a success.  Email volunteer@fcllbaseball.org to help.

Click here if you need a donation form.

Click here to sign up for the "Online Donations" site.

• Click on Fundraise
• Enter your players name into the space provided  

April President's Message

Every month I try to come up with a topic that is relevant and important for our players and parents and this month, like last, I can't say it any better than the folks at PCA have already said it.  Below are some great tips for "Honoring the Game".



Here are ways that parents can contribute to a positive youth sports culture so that children will have fun and
learn positive character traits to last a lifetime.

• Before the Game
• Commit to Honoring the Game in action and language no matter what others may do.
• Tell your children before each game that you will be proud of them regardless of how well they perform.
• During the Game

• Fill your children’s “Emotional Tanks” through praise and positive recognition to help them play their best.
• Fill their teammates’ tanks, too!
• Do not instruct your child during game action or at breaks; let the coaches coach.
• Cheer good plays by both teams.
• Mention good calls by the official to other parents.
• If you disagree with an official’s call, Honor the Game – BE SILENT!
• If other spectators yell at officials, gently remind them to Honor the Game.
• Don’t do anything in the heat of the moment that you will regret after the game. Ask yourself, “What do 
• I want to model right now for my child?”
• Remember to have fun and enjoy the game.
• After the Game
• Thank the officials for doing a difficult job for little or no pay.
• Thank the coaches for their commitment and effort.
• When reviewing the game with your children, ask rather than tell. Instead of immediately sharing your opinions or telling them how they can improve, ask questions such as “What did you learn
  
  from that game?” or “What was your favorite play?” or “What was the most fun part of that game?”
• Remember to give your children truthful and specific praise…not just the typical “good game” but, for example, “I saw how well you moved your feet on defense.”
• Tell your children again that you are proud of them whether the team won or lost.