Dear WLL Friends and Parents,

Woodstock Little League is in desperate need of new Board Members, Coaches and Volunteers for the 2019-2020 season.  September 30, 2019 marks the end of the current Little League season, and it will also mark the end of tenure for some of our current Board Members that have provided invaluable service to Woodstock Little League.  Without new Board Members, Woodstock Little League will be in serious jeopardy.

Please consider volunteering your time, and helping to sustain and improve Woodstock Little League.  Below, please find a description of the various positions and roles on the WLL Board.  Please take the time to review this information for positions/roles that you feel you could fulfill on behalf of our league and our children.  Not sure you want to assume a postion?  In addition to these positions, WLL welcomes General Board Members as well.

WLL is also always in need of coaches and volunteers.  Our fields are maintained 100% by volunteers, including mowing and field preparation and maintenance.  If you are unsure of volunteering for our Board, we are hopeful that you will volunteer in some other capacity.

Woodstock Little League's Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 7pm at South Woodstock Baptist Church.  Please consider attending this meeting and finding out more.  Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Board of Directors Roles

The local league Board of Directors, elected from and by the adult members of the league, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the league within the rules, regulations and policies of Little League. This board does not have the authority to alter, suspend or change any of the rules, regulations or policies of Little League.

Annually, the regular membership of each Little League is required to meet and elect the board of directors. Following the election, the board of directors meets to elect its officers from within the newly elected board. The officers required are: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, player agent, and safety officer and coaching coordinator (Information officer recommended but not required).

President - Apart from all other considerations, sound leadership, couched in knowledge, experience and common sense, is the greatest requirement and most exemplary qualification of the man or woman selected as president of a Little League.

While efficient organizational and administrative abilities are desirable credentials, the search for good leadership must transcend all other attributes in the adult who gives direction to the Little League movement in the local community. Dedication to the goals and purpose of Little League is inherent in the volunteer aspect of those who serve, but not everyone who serves is gifted with the quality of leadership. Presidents must reflect these qualities if they are to be of benefit to children.

The president has many responsibilities in the administration of the league. Each President is elected by, and is accountable to, the local league board of directors. Duties of a president are described within the limits of the rules and regulations, and within the local league constitution, giving each president the ability to oversee the affairs of all elements of the league.

As the chief administrator, the president selects and appoints managers, coaches, umpires and committees. As such, no person becomes a manager, coach, umpire or committee member without the approval of the president. However, all appointments are subject to final approval by the local league's board of directors.

Importantly, the president is the officer with whom Little League International maintains contact. The president also represents the league in the District organization.

The president should be the most informed officer of the league. Each president must know the regulations under which Little League operates and in authorizing the annual application for charter, binds all members of the league to faithfully observe the regulations. Little League Baseball International Headquarters reserves the right to require a league to remove any officer who does not carry out the terms of charter application. Serious violation can result in loss of the league's charter by action of the Charter Committee in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Beyond the requirements of league administration, the president should personify the best public image in reflection to the community at large. Each president should take an active role in gaining support and winning friends for the league program.

The president presides at league meetings, and assumes full responsibility for the operation of the local league. The president receives all mail, supplies and other communications from the Little League Headquarters. A president may manage, coach or umpire, provided he/she does not serve on the protest committee, nor serve as tournament team manager or coach.

Vice President - The vice president presides in the absence of the president, works with other officers and committee members, is ex-officio member of all committees, and carries out such duties and assignments as may be delegated by the president. Separate vice presidents may also be selected to oversee individual divisions within the league. If so, one vice president should be selected as the one to preside in the absence of the president. A vice president may manage, coach or umpire, provided they do not serve on the protest committee.

Secretary - The secretary maintains a register of members and directors, records the minutes of meetings, is responsible for sending out notice of meetings, issues membership cards and maintains a record of league's activities.

Treasurer - The treasurer signs checks co-signed by another officer or director (or as directed by the local league's constitution), dispenses league funds as approved by the board of directors, reports on the status of league funds, keeps local league books and financial records, prepares budgets, and assumes the responsibility for all local league finances.

Player Agent - The player agent conducts annual tryouts, is in charge of player selection, assists the president in checking birth records and eligibility of players and generally supervises and coordinates the transfer of players to or from the Minor Leagues according to provisions of the regulations of Little League Baseball. Separate player agents may also be selected to oversee individual divisions within the league. The player agent must not manage, coach or umpire in the division over which he/she has authority, unless the local league has received explicit written permission to allow this from Little League International.

Safety Officer - The safety officer coordinates all safety activities including supervision of ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program), ensures safety in player training, ensures safe playing conditions, coordinates reporting and prevention of injuries, solicits suggestions for making conditions safer, and reports suggestions to Little League International through the ASAP system.

Information Officer - The information officer manages the league's official home page on active.com, manages the online registration process and ensures that league rosters are maintained on the site, assigns administrative rights to league volunteers and teams, ensures that league news and scores are updated on a regular basis, collects, posts and distributes important information on League activities including direct dissemination of fund-raising and sponsor activities to Little League International, district, public, league members and media, serves as primary contact person for Little League and active.com regarding optimizing use of the Internet for league administration and for distributing information to league members and to Little League International, and displays enthusiasm for using the Internet for league administration, for sharing information and for creating a more enjoyable and efficient Little League experience.

Coaching Coordinator - Represents coaches/managers in league; presents a coach/manager training budget to the board; gains the support and funds necessary to implement a league-wide training program; orders and distributes training materials to players, coaches and managers; coordinates mini-clinics as necessary; helps implement www.LittleLeagueCoach.org as the manager-coach education program for the league.

Concession Manager -

• Maintains the operation of concession facilities
• Organizes the purchase of concession products
• Responsible for the management of the concession sales at league events
• Schedules volunteers to work the concession booth during league events
• Collects and reviews concession related offers including coupons, discounts and bulk-purchasing opportunities
• Organizes, tallies and keeps records of concession sales and purchases

Sponsorship/Fundraising Manager -

• Solicits and secures local sponsorships to support league operations
• Collects and reviews sponsorship and fundraising opportunities
• Organizes and implements approved league fundraising activities
• Coordinates participation in fundraising activities
• Maintains records of monies secured through sponsorship and fundraising initiatives

Head Umpire/Chief Umpire (UIC) -

• Provides Umpire Training
• Schedules Umpires
• Member of Protest Committee

Fall Ball Registration is Open!  Registration will close on Sunday 8/25/19, no exceptions.  Don't miss out!

We hope to field at least 1 baseball & softball team (12 player roster) in the Coach Pitch through Juniors divisions.

Registration is $45 per player

Coach Pitch Softball
Coach Pitch Baseball
Minor League Softball
Minor League Baseball
Major League Softball
Major League Baseball
Junior League Softball
Junior League Baseball

Games start at the beginning of September and are played through the end of October.  Games are primarily played on Saturdays.

Teams need to be formed by Monday, August 26th and may be combined with other towns to form a full team.  Coach Pitch Baseball and Softball registrants may be consolidated into a Co-Ed Coach Pitch Baseball division if necessary.

Coaches are needed at all levels.  If you are interested and available, please email Mike Sampson at woodstockllpresident@yahoo.com.  Without volunteer coaches, WLL will not be able to form teams and your player may not be able to play this fall.

Thanks,
WLL

2019 CT District 12 8-10 Baseball Champions - Woodstock Little League

On Friday July 12, 2019, the Woodstock 8/9/10 Baseball All Stars defeated Killingly 3-2 in a thrilling championship game to capture the CT District 12 Title. Brady Hebert was brilliant in relief of starter Hayden Maloney, tossing 2 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. Tied 2-2 in the top of the sixth inning, Kieran Shepherd drove in Maloney with the go ahead run on an RBI groundout. Killingly almost rallied in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with one out, but Hebert came up with a big strikeout, followed by a great catch on a fly ball to right field by outfielder Max Kopp to secure the win.  This is the second consecutive District 12 Title for Coach Hebert, Coach LaBonte, Coach Maloney and many of the Woodstock players.

After securing the District 12 Title, Woodstock then moved on to Sectional Play.  On Friday July 19, 2019, Woodstock took on District 11 champion Jewett City in a Section 4 pool play game in Lebanon.  In a back and forth game, it would be Woodstock who prevailed 5-4 in walk-off fashion.  The next day, the Woodstock boys would break open a 1-0 game in the fourth inning and cruise to a 10-0 win over District 8 champion Windsor, setting up a rematch with Jewett City for the Section 4 championship and a chance to advance to the CT State Final Four.  However, it would be Jewett City exploding for 9 runs in the top of the third inning to break open a 2-0 game and cruise to a 14-1 victory.  Woodstock would finish the tournament with an impressive 6-1 record, winning the District 12 title, finishing 2nd in Section 4, and finishing in the top 8 in the State of Connecticut.  Congratulations to the coaches and players on a tremendous run!!!

Dear WLL Families,

Once again for the 2019 season, WLL will be offering sponsorship banners to be placed on the outfield fences of our main baseball and softball fields.

With a donation of $250 or more, a banner displaying your business or family name, logo and contact information will be placed on our new outfield fence screens for the entire 2019 season (April 2019 through October 2019).

Please see the attached Sponsor Registration Form for more details and instructions.  WLL would like to ask that you please consider participating in this new and exciting fundraiser for our league, or please send to businesses, families and friends that you think may be interested.

Sincerely,
WLL

2019 WLL Banner Sponsor Form

Woodstock Little League enjoyed quite the post-season run this past summer!

8-10 Softball All-Stars
On Saturday July 7, 2018 the 8-10 year old Woodstock/Pomfret/Brooklyn Softball All-Star team beat Mansfield/Ashford 17-0 to win the District 12 title.  Overall, the girls went 4-0 in the District 12 tournament, outscoring opponents 62-5.  The girls then played in the State Sectionals (Section 4) at the Stafford LL Complex.  WPB's lost both games in the Sectionals, dropping a 10-6 decision against District 11 champion Jewett City/Preston and suffering a 7-2 loss to District 8 champion Windsor.  WPB played valiantly in both losses, tied 5-5 against JC/Preston entering the final inning and only down 3-2 against Windsor entering the last inning before losing.  Overall, the girls finished 4-2 in All-Star play, winning the District 12 championship and finishing top twelve in the State of Connecticut.

8-10 Baseball All-Stars 
On Sunday July 8, 2018 the 8-10 year old Woodstock Baseball All-Star team beat Stafford 11-4 to win the District 12 title.  Overall, the boys went 3-1 in the District 12 tournament.  Emerging pool play as the fourth and final seed, the boys took down the top-seeded Pomfret/Eastford team 17-3 in the semifinals before beating Stafford for the title.  The boys then played in the State Sectionals (Section 4), which was held at the Willimantic Legion Field (54 Quercus Ave, Willimantic, CT).  Woodstock dropped both sectional games, losing 13-3 against District 11 champion Jewett City on Friday 7/13 and losing 14-2 against District 8 champion Ellington on Sunday 7/15.  Overall, the boys finished 3-3 in All-Star play, winning the District 12 championship and finishing top twelve in the State of Connecticut.

10-12 Baseball All-Stars
On Friday July 13, 2018 the 10-12 year old Woodstock/Putnam All-Stars defeated Brooklyn 15-5 to win the District 12 title.  Overall, the boys finished 6-0 in the District 12 tournament.  The boys advanced to the State Sectional tournament, which was held at Brookside Park in Ellington.  The boys opened up Sectional play on Wednesday July 18th with a 4-2 win over District 8 champion Manchester National, followed by a 5-0 vistory over District 11 champion Moosup/Plainfield on Thursday July 19th.  Unfortunately, the boys lost 5-1 in the State Section 4 championship game to Manchester National on Saturday July 21st, and were eliminated from tournament play.  The team finished its All-Star run with a record of 8-1, and finished in the top eight in the State of Connecticut.

The final tally was three District 12 championship banners for WLL this magical tournament season.  Congratulations to all of the players and coaches!

All board meeting are open to the public.

2018/2019 Meeting Schedule
 

November 1, 2018 @ 7:00pm

December 13, 2018 @ 7:00pm

January 10, 2019 @ 7:00pm

February 7, 2019 @ 7:00pm

March 7, 2019 @ 7:00pm

April 11, 2019 @ 8:00pm

May 2, 2019 @ 7:30pm

June 6, 2019 @ 8:00pm

July 2019 - No meeting

August 8, 2019 @ 7:30pm

September 5, 2019 @ 7:00pm

September 26, 2019 @ 7pm (Annual Meeting)

All meetings will be held at South Woodstock Baptist Church, 23 Roseland Park Rd, Woodstock, CT unless otherwise noted

The league is always looking to get parents and friends of Woodstock Little League involved in ways that make us stronger, and ultimately improve our children's experience.  Without our volunteers, the organization cannot thrive.  Please consider attending meetings or joining the board.