Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Here & There Column 7-31-07

Tri-Valley Little League all-stars in a playoff game this year.

The Best Time Of The Year For Little League

The months of late June and July bring out the best in local Little League baseball and softball.
All one has to do is to have a youngster get selected for this leagues all-star team and then its off to the races as our local teams travel to such places as Port Jervis, Newburgh, Maybrook, Pine Bush and Walden.
We wish everyone who has played and supports this great sport to be given the opportunity to read the sign at the Walden Little League complex that reads, "Remember They're Just Kids."
Most of the time everyone who either coaches, plays or supplies fan support totally supports this theme sign.
Every now and then a bad apple gets in the barrel and some real poor sportsmanship from team coaches and sometimes certain communities shows up and this type of junk just doesn't belong nor is it beneficial to our young youth playing this game.
On the other side of the coin it's a great feeling to see coaches and umpires in Little League go out of their way to support these youth and this game. Loved seeing an umpire come into a losing teams dugout and offer encouragement and congratulations to the team who lost.....don't you think that was appreciated,
Little League explains their definition as "better than any other youth activity, baseball and softball have become the thread that has sewn together a patchwork of nations and cultures around the world.."
In their written explanation as to what Little League is "about us" they note that "baseball and softball embody the discipline of teamwork. They challenge players toward perfection of physical skills and bring in to play the excitement of tactics and strategy. The very nature of baseball and softball also teach that while every player eventually strikes out or is on a losing team, there is always another chance for success in the next at-bat or game."
We salute Little League for the services they provide in our communities. We thank the many coaches, umpires and those who volunteer many hours of dedication and for the verbiage on that sign, "Remember They're Just Kids."


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