Little League Baseball in Newton MA A proposal

Little League Baseball in Newton, MA A proposal to highlight current and mounting challenges & to offer a solution to preserve and enhance the Little League experience for the youth of Newton.

Problem Definition • Little League enrollment is down – Competing with Club baseball, Soccer, Lacrosse, etc • As numbers fluctuate it becomes difficult for leagues to put to balanced teams, with equitable skills – Players get pulled up to make numbers work for next level, hurting their “age level” skill pool • If the product isn’t competitive & fun, the kids are more apt to choose alternatives • Fragmented approaches across little leagues and seasons

Objectives • Create a league with enough players at each level so as to minimize the skill difference between the top and bottom players • Increase player retention • Ensure there are enough teams at each level • Preserve the local culture of the current leagues • Improve coordination and options across Newton and seasons (spring, summer, and fall) • Balance community versus competition • Maximize the volunteer opportunities for people who are willing to contribute their time

League Vision • To create an environment where children in Newton are introduced to the game of baseball and through instruction, coaching & emphasis on fundamentals develop an interest & love of the sport – We aim to develop players who understand the rules of the game and have sound technique while making friends and having fun in the process. – Build a sustainable league that supports these values and encourages community support

General Philosophy Provide a safe & engaging program through which the kids develop athletic skills, self-esteem & friendships. The program will optimize action & achievement. Specific game rules and coach training will support these goals. The aim is have players completing each season with more confidence & a desire to come back for the next season • Majors: most competitive • T-Ball, Rookie & Farm: with a focus on player - Designed to introduce development, kids to Baseball and foster sportsmanship & a love of the game via teamwork. fundamentals & social aspects. Focus on Fun and not on Wins & Losses; • Minors: Transition levels Instructional & with a balanced approach Developmental to fun/development & competitiveness. – AAA – AA

Newton LL’s by the numbers… 6 & under 7 8 9 10 11 12 Annual Total % dif prev yr North 112 41 34 42 28 19 23 299 5% Central 96 35 47 39 30 26 22 295 (7%) West 98 24 34 23 29 17 27 252 0% South. East 140 67 66 68 58 51 52 502 (1%) Total '14 446 167 181 172 145 113 124 1348 (1%) North 94 40 52 29 26 21 22 284 1% Central 84 48 49 43 34 27 32 317 (5%) West 67 34 30 35 28 35 23 252 (16%) South. East 124 63 73 76 61 61 48 506 (17%) Total '13 369 185 204 183 149 144 125 1359 (11%) North 104 49 31 28 24 23 22 281 (3%) Central 72 42 45 49 43 44 40 335 (3%) West 76 36 44 41 41 28 35 301 0% South + East 148 90 90 86 81 62 52 609 (7%) Total '12 400 217 210 204 189 157 149 1526 (4%) North 110 34 33 31 30 26 26 290 Central 67 60 50 44 56 46 24 347 West 71 46 47 48 31 37 20 300 South + East 148 95 104 87 89 68 63 654 Total '11 396 235 234 210 206 177 133 1591

Today’s Structure District 10 Newton North - Majors - Minors -etc. Newton Central - Majors - Minors -etc. Newton West - Majors - Minors -etc. Newton South East - Majors - Minors -etc.

Spring - Level of Integration Level Divisions Majors Comments • • Common Pool American Division National Division AAA/ AA Farm & Rookie T-Ball Lions Division Bowen, Countryside, Spaulding, Zervas Mason Rice, Angier Pool 1 Bowen Spaulding Mason- Rice Tigers Division Cabot, Horace Mann, Lincoln -Eliot, Underwood, Pierce, Burr, Franklin, Ward, Williams Pool 2 Pool 3 Zervas Angier Country-side Cabot, Lincoln-Eliot, Underwood, Ward Pool 4 Horace Mann, Pierce, Burr, Franklin, Williams Common pool draft Transition teams for first year 2 Williamsport 11/12 teams Balanced schedule across 2 divisions • Teams assembled from within Elementary Schools in each division • Multiple Williamsport 9/10 & 10/11 teams • Unbalanced schedule across pools • Friend requests • Teams assembled from “adjacent” elementary schools • Schedule all within division, same field. • Friend requests

Proposed Organizational Structure Newton Youth Baseball Spring Majors Summer/Fall Baseball Lion Minors Spring Tigers Minors Spring

Roles/Responsibilities Administrative Board • Set missions for each league • Capital improvements & campaigns • Financial controls, insurance, etc. • Relationship with City • Vendor relationships • Playing rules • Relationship with Little League of America • Field allocation • Web site Operational Board • Coach selection • Team formation • CORI • Scheduling • Clinics • Coaching development • Field maintenance & preparation • Sponsors • Snack bars • Local events (parades, movies, etc. )

Little League Baseball in Newton, MA Reserve Slides

A Closer Look (Major’s teams by year) 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015*project Central 5 5 4 4 4 North ? 4 4 4 3? South. East 4 + 6? 4 + 6 8 7 6? West ? ? ? 4 3?

Newton Elementary School Districts

Little League Baseball in Newton, MA Background/resource slides

Today’s Structure District 10 Newton Central - Majors - Minors -etc. Newton South East - Majors - Minors -etc. Newton West - Majors - Minors -etc.

Spring - Level of Integration Level Divisions Majors Comments • • Common Pool American Division National Division AAA/ AA Farm & Rookie T-Ball Lions Division Bowen, Countryside, Spaulding, Zervas Mason Rice, Angier Pool 1 Bowen Spaulding Mason- Rice Pool 2 Zervas Angier Country-side Tigers Division Cabot, Pierce, Burr, Franklin, Ward, Williams Pool 3 Cabot, Pierce, Ward Pool 4 Burr, Franklin, Williams Common pool draft Transition teams for first year 2 Williamsport 11/12 teams Balanced schedule across 2 divisions • Teams assembled from within Elementary Schools in each division • Multiple Williamsport 9/10 & 10/11 teams • Unbalanced schedule across pools • Friend requests • Teams assembled from “adjacent” elementary schools • Schedule all within division, same field. • Friend requests