Little League International Introduces New “50-70” Pilot Program

By Communications Division
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa.
January 11, 2010

Ever since Little League debuted baseball for teenagers 50 years ago, the standard infield has featured a pitching distance of 60 feet, six inches, and base paths of 90 feet – the same size as a professional baseball infield.

The program grew over the years to its current status as the largest teenage baseball program in the world. A few years ago, Little League added the option of allowing 12-year-old players to “play up” in the Junior League Division for Regular Season and Tournament Play.

Now, in an effort to further ease the transition from the standard Little League field size (46-foot pitching distance and 60-foot base paths), Little League is offering a pilot program for league age 12- and 13-year-olds. The pilot program will be conducted on fields that feature a 50-foot pitching distance and 70-foot base paths. The pilot program will be available to all Little League programs worldwide for the 2010 season.

“We have seen more requests for the intermediate-size field recently,” Patrick Wilson, Little League Vice President of Operations, said. “We are constantly looking for ways to provide more flexibility and to respond to the needs our local leagues. For those leagues with the ability to create a new field for this program, or to modify an existing field, we hope this will be another way to provide an enjoyable experience for the families in their community.”

Additionally, base runners will be permitted to lead off in the 50-70 Pilot Program (requiring pitchers to hold runners on base), runners may attempt stealing at any time, and head-first sliding is permitted. In the Little League division, runners cannot leave the base until the ball reaches the batter, and sliding must be feet-first unless the runner is retreating to a base.

Also for the 50-70 Pilot Program – unlike the Little League division – the batter becomes a runner on a dropped third strike, the bat can have a diameter of 2 5/8 inches, and the on-deck batter is permitted.

Each league wishing to participate in the 50-70 Pilot Program is required to enroll with Little League International prior to initiating the program. At the conclusion of the regular season, each participating league will be required to complete a post-season survey detailing the benefits and challenges.

“We will take the information gathered, work with the leagues and districts, and make a decision on how to move forward in 2011,” Mr. Wilson said. “If the 50-70 Pilot Program proves to be successful, our plan is to offer a full range of tournament play.”

For 2010, there will not be a separate level in the International Tournament for the 50-70 Pilot Program. However, local leagues and districts that are participating in the program will be able to organize tournaments using a Special Games Request Form.

Any player who participates in the pilot program during the regular season will be eligible to participate simultaneously in the Little League Division (for players ages 9-12) or the Junior League Division (12-14). Such a player will be eligible for selection to either age-appropriate International Tournament Team.

However, a player who participates solely in the 50-70 Pilot Program also will be eligible based on his/her age for selection to a team participating in the International Tournament under guidelines established for player eligibility.

Here are some additional details:

Leagues will be allowed to operate under interleague play and combined teams. However, players will only be eligible for tournament in the league where they reside.
Leagues will be allowed to structure the 50-70 Pilot Program so that their typical season is conducted, for example, on Monday through Friday. Then on Saturday and Sunday, leagues could offer the pilot program to players who wish to participate. All pitching guidelines apply.
Participating leagues (and districts with participating leagues) will be permitted to organize tournaments using a Special Games Request Form for players in the 50-70 Pilot Program. Players may participate in both Special Games and the International Tournament under guidelines established in the Baseball Rulebook.

Later this month, Little League International will provide leagues with the procedure for participating in the 50-70 Pilot Program.

Monday, January 11, 2010

MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 9TH 2009 MEETING

Glendora Baseball Little League Minute
Minutes from December 9^th, 2009
Meeting Date: December 9^th , 2009Start time: 8:30pmEnd time: 9:15pmPlace: Glendora VFW

Call to order: President Mike O’Brien called the meeting to order at 8:30pm. A motion to approve the minutes was approved by Harry Reilly and Chris Henry.

Old Business:
•The work party was a success. Thanks to all that came out and helped. (The netting is down from Whitebirch.)

New Business:
•Mike O’Brien informed everyone that the keys to all the fields are now situated and the garage door is in the process of being fixed. The snack stand will be in the plan to be fixed inside and outside.
•The Beef N Beer tickets are on sale. Everyone is welcomed to take some and sell. Please notify everyone via email, facebook or text.
•Chris Pisani has a work order in to Guido and waiting to hear back. New sponsorships are in the work and a good deal is being made with Forman Mills
•Chris Clarke distributed the financials. Magnolia Gardens and the Verizon bill was paid. Chris also paid for the Phillies 6 pack tickets that are to be raffled off at the Beef n Beer.
•Brian Ward received approval from the Board to distribute 4200 flyers for the baseball registration. There was some discussion about broadcasting it on Channel 19 as well.
•Harry Reilly the Field Director asked the Board for approval to have Tool Kits for each of the fields. Rich Rinaldi will purchase and give over to Harry Reilly for distribution.
•Brian Kelly informed us that the tractors are being fixed at Woodchucks. Harry Reilly and Brian Ward are to work out how to get the tractors there.
•The new banner at Whitebirch was priced at $330.00. Yard signs for the league are $5.00 a piece. We are looking to purchase at least 50.

The Beef N Beer is January 30^th. Each Board Member was asked to help make up baskets for the raffles. Harry Reilly will look into adding meatballs to the menu. Rolls will come from DelBuonos. Plates, utensils and other essentials are being purchased from Sams or BJ’s. The beer from Richards Liquors. The DJ is already set in place. No other reports from the Secretary, Umpire Chief, Equipment Mgr., Safety Director or other coordinators.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm. Our next meeting will be held on January 13^th, 2010 at 8:30pm
Happy Holidays and have a safe New Year.

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Meeting Minutes From November 11th Meeting

Glendora Baseball Little League Meeting

Minutes from November 11, 2009

Meeting Date: November 11, 2009

Start time: 8:30pm

End time: 9:39pm

Place: Glendora VFW

Call to order: Mike O’Brien reviewed the minutes from the last meeting. Steve Bentley and Brian Ward approved the minutes.

The list of all attending members is attached.

New Business:

Gus Gittinger has accepted the position of Umpire Chief.
There will be a work party on December 5^th at 10am. An email will go out to all members and families. Everyone is to meet at the Whitebirch field.
On December 12^th at 12:00, a Constitution By-laws Meeting will be held. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Mike O’Brien reviewed a Power Point Presentation on the financials from last year and the upcoming year. Kudos was given to the former board members for their hard work these past 3 years with the financials. The board is looking to execute a new mission in order to grow as a league. Opinions from families and members are important for the improvement of the league. Surveys were handed out to all the members and coordinators at the meeting. More discussion regarding the financials will be discussed at the next meeting.
Steve Bentley informed everyone that the tractors are in unsatisfactory condition. A suggestion to price a new tractor from Woodchucks in Magnolia and possibly see if a deal can be made regarding trading in the other old tractors.
Harry Reilly has fertilized all fields. The cost of a new spreader is $105.00.
Chris Pisani stated we still have 28 sponsors for the league. He asked the members if they would help in producing any more. If anyone is interested they can speak to Chris. All the existing sponsors will also be added to the Booster Club for their loyalty thru out the years.
Mike O’Brien will be making new sets of keys for all the fields and distributing them on Dec. 5^th at the work party.
There were 14 votes for the increase of registration.
$200.00 deposit was set for the Beef-n-Beer. We still owe $495.00. The DJ is set. Food and gift baskets will be discussed at the next meeting.
All Coordinators were asked if they had anything to discuss regarding their areas. No issues were mentioned.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm. The next meeting will be held on December 9, 2009, 8:30pm at the Glendora VFW.

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