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 with a focus on player development, sportsmanship & teamwork. Minors: Transition levels with a balanced approach to fun/development & competitiveness. – AAA – AA T-Ball, Rookie & Farm: - Designed to introduce kids to Baseball and foster a love of the game via fundamentals & social aspects. Focus on Fun and not on Wins & Losses; Instructional & Developmental

Newton LL’s by the numbers… 6 & under Annual Total% dif prev yr North % Central (7%) West % SouthEast (1%) Total ' (1%) North % Central (5%) West (16%) SouthEast (17%) Total ' (11%) North (3%) Central (3%) West % South + East (7%) Total ' (4%) North Central West South + East Total '

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

Proposed Organizational Structure Newton Youth Baseball Spring MajorsSummer/Fall Baseball Tigers Minors SpringLion 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) *project Central55444 North?4443? SouthEast4 + 6? ? West???43?

Newton Elementary School Districts

Little League Baseball in Newton, MA Background/resource slides

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

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