Thursday, December 30, 2010
Little League International Issues Update Regarding Composite Bats: Moratorium Imposed Immediately
UPDATE: A list has been established for "Approved Composite" bats. This list will grow, so please stay informed.
FCLL Press Release
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Why play with Four County Little League?
- A Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) - is designed increase awareness of the opportunities to provide a safer environment for kids and all Little League participants. Bottom line is with this program, injuries are down. Four County Little League has been ASAP compliant for several years and plan to stay compliant every year. To find our more about ASAP click here. The number one concern here is the safety of our kids.
- Pitch Counts - Not just innings pitched, but number of pitches. The medical advisors to Little League have seen a reduction in arm injuries with the implementation of the pitch count rules. Even non-Little League programs are using our system to stay safe. Click here to read about a high school team who has implemented the pitch count. People may not realize this, but Little League is a pioneer in youth sports safety. From the development of batting helmets to the implementation of the pitch count, Little League is a leader in youth sports safety. The safety of the children is first.
- Background checks - All volunteers in Four County Little League are required to submit to a complete background check. This includes all Managers, coaches, umpires and parents with continuous contact with the kids. Once again the safety of the kids is of utmost importants.
- We are Little League - We follow the rules and policies of Little League International which has been around since 1939. This non-profit organization has 2.5 million children worldwide play Little League which makes it the largest single youth sports organization in the world. Bigger than lacrosse, youth football and cheer leading. We are part of something big.
- Mandatory Play - Want to play competitive baseball and sit on the bench? Not here. Everyone plays. We have minimum playing requirements and everyone plays baseball. Even our top Majors Tournament team has minimum playing requirements. You signed up for baseball, you will play baseball.
- Opening Day Celebration - Each season we celebrate opening day with a large event culminating with the ceremonial "running of the bases" and the season's first pitch.
- Low Registration Rate - Look around. Find another sport in this area that you can play for under $100.00. Dollar for Dollar Four County Little League is the best most affordable sport in the area. Try horseback riding $45-60 a lesson, try other baseball organization $150 - $1000 a season. Four County provides you with as many games as you can play, a uniform and tons of practice. Plus if you are selected to our Tournament teams, you get an additional uniform at no more cost to the parents. The league picks up the tab for the post season costs. We also run numerous Free clinics for both players and coaches as well as plenty of batting cage time. Our Umpires and coaches all receive free resources to help them do their job and teach your children. Backed by Little League International, our coaches have videos, books and more at their fingertips. Finally, FCLL puts on an end of season carnival and movie picnic in which the entire family gets together to celebrate the end of the season. With all the food games and rides provided to you at no cost, this is a one of a kind event. No other organization in the area puts on a show like we do. Call around, do some research. FCLL is the lowest cost sport in the area.
- We are local - You will probably only drive 15 to 20 minutes to most games and practices. Little League is your home town baseball league.
- We travel - That's right, we travel to other leagues in our District and even to other areas of the state. Our Sunday teams travel to Western Maryland and to the Baltimore area. In addition, there are plans for our tournament teams to play in more travel style tournaments this summer. If you want to travel, we can travel.
- Positive Coaching Alliance - Little League International and Four County Little League has adopted the Positive Coaching Alliance philosophies. Started at Stanford University in 1998, PCA helps create a positive, character-building youth sports environment for more than 3 million youth athletes. Some of the top coaches in the nation are on the board of directors and follow the same philosophies. So to say it's touchy, feely, everybody plays non-sense nothing could not be further from the truth. Ask Phil Jackson, Dusty Baker and the other advisory board members if they think it's all touchy feely. PCA teaches to win, but winning is not necessarily defined by the scoreboard. Want to know more about PCA, click here.
- We start teaching early - We have a clinic style T-Ball clinic for kids as young as 4 years old. We teach the kids to play baseball and have fun. As they move up in division, we teach life lessons utilizing the Positive Coaching Alliance philosophies. We want them to learn life lessons through the great sport of baseball.
- We have provide competitive baseball up to age 14 - That's right. Think your done at age 12? No way! Our Juniors program provides baseball at the 90' level and is designed to prepare a player for high school and upper level baseball. Little League offers baseball until the age of 18, but unfortunately in this area we don't have many teams above age 14 in Little League. Just keep in mind when you start at age 4, Four County is your home for baseball until you are age 14.
- We have a new and exciting 70' division - Many other organizations already play their 12 year olds at 70'. Little League still plays their 12 year olds at 60', but this year we are running a Sunday only 70' division for our best 11/12 year olds. So maybe you wanted to play with us, but we did not have 70'. Now we do. Keep in mind the 70' program is a supplemental program on Sunday's only. 11/12 year olds will still play their traditional Majors team Monday through Saturday.
- The Little League International Tournament - Every summer our league participates in the International tournament culminating in Williamsport, PA at the Little League World Series which can be seen on ESPN and ABC. How about being part of something this big? A few years ago, when Hargarstown made it to the LLWS, you could not help rooting for them. This past season, our fellow District Team, Brunswick, made it all the way to the regional tournament. Four County Little League members watched and rooted them on all the way. It was not our team, but in a way it was...They were from Maryland District 2, That is our District. We will battle you all the way on the field, but once the game is over, we are all part of the same family. To read all about the LLWS, click here.
- Positive comments from Parents - Below are some quotes from parents:
- "FCLL is like family. My son has so much fun and can't wait to get to baseball." Maureen, Mount Airy, MD
- "Four County cares so much for the kids. They put teaching the kids baseball over winning. The funning thing is that the kids excel even though the focus is not on winning." Pat, Mount Airy, MD
- "We chose to play baseball with Four County because we heard it was a family-friendly league that emphasized having fun, which it is. 7 years later our boys continue to play baseball with four county because they have learned the skills to play baseball competitively while simultaneously learning to play fair and learning what it means to be part of a team." Jenny, New Market, MD
Friday, November 26, 2010
Here is something I recently received from the Positive Coaching Alliance addressing a question related to select or travel teams versus in house play. I think it is very telling and certainly illustrates what we are doing here at Four County Little League.
Pat Ronan
Coaching Director, FCLL
Will House League Play Diminish My Son's Talent?
"My 11-year-old son's select-team baseball coaches are upset that he is also playing house league Fall Ball, which my son loves, because it is so relaxed and fun. These select coaches say that playing with 'bad' players will hurt my son's talent. I'm curious what the general thought is on this."
-- Troubled in Texas
“I would ask the coach to identify what he or she values most in a player. Research of college athletes has found that athletes who play for a coach who they (the athletes) believe values hard work and effort above all else, improve more and perform at a higher level than coaches who value talent foremost.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
New Board of Directors for 2011
- Craig Abell - Equipment
- Tim Askeland - Minors Director
- Bryan Berndt - At Large
- Pastor Paul Buchanan - Secretary
- Jenny Burke - Sponsorship
- Billy Casper - Player Agent
- Jeff Ference - At Large
- Jim Gill - President
- Scott Groene - Vice President
- Dan McGuire - At Large
- Mike Money - Juniors Director
- Dave Perry - Field Maintenance
- Donald Poorman - Communications
- Rex Parker - Umpire in Chief
- Myra Smith - Treasurer
- Pat Ronan - Coaching Director
- Eric Reese - Majors Director
- Rob Rhodes - At Large
- Tim Warehime - Safety Director
Saturday, September 11, 2010
2011 Board of Director Elections
Here are the current Nominees for the 2011 BOD Directors. 20 BOD members will be selected.
- Craig Abell
- Tim Askeland
- Bryan Berndt
- Doug Brice
- Pastor Paul Buchanan
- Jenny Burke
- Billy Casper
- Mike D’Andrea
- Jeff Ference
- Todd Flower
- Jim Gill
- Scott Groene
- Michelle Kaye
- Mark Lane
- Dan McGuire
- Mike Money
- Dave Perry
- Donald Poorman
- Rex Parker
- Myra Smith
- Pat Ronan
- Eric Reese
- Rob Rhodes
- Tim Warehime
Monday, June 28, 2010
Snap Fitness A's headed to the Championship Game.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Walk off home run wins it for the Snap Fitness A's.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
PCA at its best...Armando Galarraga "We're human..."
Here are a few stories about his graciousness after the incident.
'Perfect game' pitcher handles call with grace
Joe Girardi compares Tigers pitcher to 'one of the true gentlemen of the game'
Saturday, May 22, 2010
2010 Hit-A-Thon - A Big Success
Monday, April 26, 2010
2010 Hit-A-Thon / Team Picture Day
Monday, April 19, 2010
A night at the Keys
Four County Little League will host "A night at the Keys". Come out and join the rest of your FCLL family and enjoy a great night of baseball. More information can be found on the flyer available by clicking here.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Keys fans enjoy opening night - The Frederick News-Post Online
Zach is part of the FCLL Lugnuts. Several other members of the Four County Little League were also on hand for the Key's opener as well.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Opening Day a Big Success
Opening Day 2010 |
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Opening Day 2010
Opening Day 2010 is April 10, 2010. The ceremony will take place at Russell Windsor Field (our home field located on Jesse Smith Road). The festivities get under way at 10:00am, but we ask all players be lined up with their teams at 9:50am. Once the ceremony is over, make sure you stop by the "Dugout Delights" and grab a hotdog or hamburger for lunch.
Some of the teams will then head out and play games at our numerous other fields located in and around Mount Airy, but at Noon two Majors teams will face off at Russell Windsor Field. If your team does not play, we invite you to hang out and watch a great Little League Baseball game.
Want a FCLL t-shirt? Scribs Sports will be on hand with sweatshirts, t-shirts and other FCLL items. Make sure you stop by and see Scribs Sports.
Also our Gold Sponsors will have tables set up at Russell Windsor Field. Make sure you stop by and say "Thank you".
We need volunteers for Opening Day. If you can help, please email volunteer@fcllbaseball.org. If you have any other questions about opening day email openingday@fcllbaseball.org.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Field Day 2010 |
Sunday, March 7, 2010
***Coaches/Safety Meeting Announced***
- March 16, 7 to 9pm T-Ball/Rookie Managers & Coaches
- March 18, 7 to 9pm Minor/Major/Junior Managers & Coaches
- March 23, 7 to 9pm Annual Safety Meeting
This year the coaches clinics will focus on information you will need to have a successful year. Information like from tips for practice to controlling the kids on the bench will be covered at these clinics. Also the Managers meetings will be held immediatly following each clinic and it is Mandatory that all Managers attend. House Rules and other important information will be discussed.
The Safety Meeting, which is a required part of the ASAP plan, will cover our Safety Plan and first aide. All Team moms, Managers and Coaches should attend this very important meeting.
Our Field day date has not been announced due to the fact that some of our fields are still covered with snow. As soon as we announce field day we will let you know. We can not start practice until our fields have been inspected by our safety office.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Four County Little League
Meeting Minutes
3 February 2010
Board of Director Attendees:
President: Jim Gill
Vice President: Scott Groene
Secretary: Michelle Kaye
Coaching Director: Pat Ronan
Equipment Manager: Craig Abel
Safety Manager: Tim Warehime
Field Manager: Greg Smith
Division Directors:
Majors: Eric Reese
Minors: Al Gordan
Rookies: Myra Smith
Tee Ball: Bryan Berndt
Sponsorship Coordinator: Jenny Burke
Call to Order: Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Motion to approve January meeting minutes. Motion approved.
Old Business:
· Scoreboard has been purchased with full sponsorship from Illiano Properties.
Director reports:
President’s Report:
1. This summer there will be a Potter Baseball tour to promote little league baseball. More information to come later.
2. There is a challenger division in Frederick if we have a need for it.
3. The Little League International congress topics will be sent out to the FCLL Board of Directors. Send any comments to FCLL President to consolidate and provide to the District Administrator.
4. All Safety information and documents must be turned in by March 1st.
5. Four-year olds are eligible to play Tee Ball.
6. Additional field space has been identified. This will allow teams more practice time.
7. Recommend all coaches sign up for the Coach’s Registry. The cost is $30.00 – for this you get a rule book, instructional DVDs, and more! Use the following link to sign up: http://www.littleleague.org/managersandcoaches/coachesregistry/bblevel.htm.
Sponsorship Report: Sponsorship coordinator provided a status on current sponsorships and levels. Need all sponsorship commitments completed by 1 March. Coordinator will provide weekly status to Board members.
Coaching Report:
Safety Report: Request for all volunteer forms to be turned in by 1 March.
Umpire Report:
Equipment Report:
Field Report:
Division Reports:
Tee Ball
Rookies
Minors
Majors
Juniors
New Business:
· The Board discussed uniform and hat purchases for the spring season. Motion was made to approve hats and uniforms for each level. Motion approved.
· The Board discussed proposed upgrades to Russell Windsor field. Discussions tabled for March meeting. Members are to provide cost estimates at March meeting for suggested field improvements.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn meeting was approved. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M. Next meeting will be held on Thursday, 4 March 2010 at 7:00 P.M. Check the calendar on the FCLL website for location.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
FCLL Spiritwear and Apparel provided by "Scribs Sports"
You need FCLL Spiritwear!
We are happy to introduce our partnership with Scribs Sports located in Downtown Mount Airy.
We encourage you to order you FCLL package today so it will be here in time for opening day.
If you have any questions about FCLL Spiritwear, contact Scribs Sports.
Scribs Sports
202 South Main Street
Mount Airy, MD 21771
(301) 829-1456
Thursday, February 4, 2010
2010 Safety Program
Part of our Safety plan is that ALL of FCLL's volunteers go through a background check prior to interacting with our children.
If you are a Managers, Coach, Umpire, Team Parent, or have any other continuous contact with the players of FCLL, you MUST complete a volunteer application and submit it with a copy of your driver's license. This needs to be done each year you volunteer. Even if dad want's to help the manager at practice for a few practices or games, you must complete the form. It only takes minutes and only needs to be done once a year.
Please take a minute to download the form by clicking here. Then you have a few options to turn it in.
- Scan it and email it to safety@fcllbaseball.org (the form must be complete, have your signature and you must scan your driver's license as well - Note: this is the preferred method of turning in your form)
- Fax it to 866-741-4123 (the form must be complete, have your signature and you must fax your driver's license as well)
- Mail it to: P.O. Box 512, Mount Airy, MD 21771 (the form must be complete, have your signature and you must mail your driver's license as well)
- Hand it to a league representative prior to February 21, 2010 (the form must be complete, have your signature and you must provide your driver's license as well)
If you even think you will help out, please submit the form.
Thank you for your help.
For more information about Little League's ASAP Safety Program, click here.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Majors/Minors Evaluations
Evaluations for Saturday, February 6, 2010 have been canceled. If you were scheduled to evaluate this Saturday (Check your date by clicking here), You will need to choose a new date. Keep in mind all candidates for Majors, who did not play in the Majors division in the Spring of 2009 must be evaluated in order to play in the Majors division this season.
If you were scheduled for this Saturday, click here to choose a new date.
Note: More information about the exact location will be posted as we closer to the date. continue to check our website for details.
If you have questions, problems or concerns about the new dates, please email playeragent@fcllbaseball.org
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Perfect Game...
Click here to see the movie trailer
Click here to see the actual game footage from 1957