Granby Little League’s Board of Directors has voted to participate in the newly announced Little League Pilot Program for a new baseball division designed to ease the transition of players from the Little League field to a regulation baseball field.
The new division will be open to 12 and 13 year olds and will feature play on a slightly larger field than that used for t-ball to majors.It is hoped that the league will include at least four teams though that number may be smaller based on interest levels.A total of 83 children are currently in the GLL database and eligible based on their age.
Details of the league’s operation are still being finalized but an assessment process will be used to help ensure that players are in the right place. Thirteen year olds are eligible for either transition league or juniors league play while 12 year olds are eligible for transition or majors level play. Player and parental preferences will also be noted in the process of assigning players to leagues.
Assessments will be held in February along with the regular assessments for players eligible for minors and majors baseball. Look for further details on times and dates here on the web site.
Granby Little League is excited to announce the proposal of a NEW Baseball program for league age 12 and 13 year olds!
Please read below for many details and we invite questions, comments, and concerns to be addressed at our next GLL Board meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 21 at Meadowbrook. We also welcome input via e-mail to
and request that you PLEASE visit www.granbyll.org and take a poll designed to gauge interest in this new league so that we may plan for the coming season. The poll can be found by clicking on SURVEY on the left side of the web site.
The new program, to be known as the Transition League, would allow players to begin their transition to a full sized baseball field while also allowing them to play a game that is more true to rules of baseball and more challenging mentally and physically.
The new program will play by the same rules that our juniors baseball program currently plays under and will afford children the opportunity to hone those skills before reaching the big field at Ahrens Park. Highlights of the rule differences between majors and this league are as follows:
·Transition League players will be allowed to lead off bases
·Transition League players be allowed to steal just like the pros do, no more waiting for the ball to cross the plate
·Transition League pitchers will be able to “pick off” runners who are leading
·Transition League games will be 7 innings instead of 6
·Transition League players will be allowed to use “senior league” bats, measuring 2 5/8 inches instead of the Little League maximum of 2 ¼ inches
In addition to the rule changes, the league will also feature play on a larger infield though the outfield fence distance will remain the same as it is in majors. In fact, it is anticipated that play will be conducted on a modified Field 5 in the coming season.Transition league play will feature pitchers pitching from 50 feet (Little League is 46 feet and Juniors is 60 feet) and bases will be 70 feet apart (Little League is 60 feet and Juniors is 90 feet)
Little League International and the Granby Little League Executive Board believe this league will offer an excellent opportunity for our league age 12 and 13 year old players to both enjoy the game more and increase their baseball skills.
We have long heard that the jump from Little League to Juniors is too big and that children struggle on the bigger field or suffer anxiety prior to the change. This transition league would address those concerns and we hope will result in a more positive experience for all those who participate. The league has not been formally approved by the GLL Board of Directors but a vote is anticipated on January 21, 2010.
Details of the new league are still being finalized as Little League announced the new league just days ago but it appears that we will utilize our assessment process to determine which league children 12 and 13 should play in, just as we have always done for children under league age 13. Majors baseball would continue to include 12 year olds for those not ready for the level of play in the Transition League.
Please remember that league age is age as of April 30, 2010 as required by Little League International.
On Sunday, January 31st, Granby Little League will be hosting it's annual "Y" Night at the Farmington Valley YMCA. This two hour session will afford kids with the opportunity tohit as well as participate in a variety of fielding and throwing drills.
The January 31st date is reserved for all players who played Majors baseball in 2009Please join us Sunday evening at 6:15 pm. Please bring your glove and change into dry sneakers inside the facility (no cleats and no bats)
To reserve a spot, please RSVP to Bill Noyes at
On Sunday, February 14th, Granby Little League will be hosting its annual "Y" Night at the Farmington Valley YMCA. This two hour session will afford kids with the opportunity to hit off of the pitching machines and participate in a variety of fielding and throwing drills.
The February 14th date is reserved for all players who played AAA baseball in 2009.Information on other dates will be sent to the appropriate families soon.
Please join us Sunday evening at 6:15 pm. Please bring your glove and change into dry sneakers inside the facility (no cleats and no bats)
To reserve a spot, please RSVP to Greg McWhirter at
.
Information on other dates will be posted and e-mailed to the appropriate families soon!
Welcome to the start of the 2010 Baseball and Softball Season. Granby Little League has opened our on-line registration program. We will only be accepting on-line registrations, if you do not have access to a computer please contact the Granby Public Library. Please note changes to our field preperation procedures and scholarships are available.
*important* Please register by February 13, 2010 to avoid late fees. All those interested in coaching/managing need to forward a completed copy of the 2010 Volunteer form (found under documents section of website) along with copy of driver's license to Granby Little League, PO Box 115, Granby, CT 06035.
All our volunteers are looking forward to a fun and exciting season!
The next scheduled Granby Little League Board Meeting will be on Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Meadowbrook of Granby beginning at 7:30pm to 9:30pm. We request all board members attend and bring completed 2010 Volunteer forms along with copy of photo identification (driver's license).
As a reminder - Granby Little League board meetings are open to the public. We especially welcome the input of all parents and other volunteers. We will meet at 7:30pm normally on the 3rd Thursday of each month, location to be determined. You are welcome to attend at any time and add issues/concerns to the agenda.
We want your input, opinion and contribution! We need volunteers! Please let us know if you would like to help with a parent support committee. This committee will assist with the golf tournament, annual fundraising, the parade and other efforts to keep the league vibrant and well-funded. If you are interested in helping out with the golf tournament ,please contact
Mary Jo Toczydlowski at (860)985-0190.
We are in the process of refining our local rules. We will be documenting all rules for each division and publishing them on this website. If you would like to be part of the process please contact Eric Clapprood, VP of Baseball at or Karen Viets, VP of Softball at
.
Please note, our volunteers are in the process of updating forms and necessary paperwork for the 2010 Season. Once items are approved, confirmed, scheduled, etc... it will be posted on the website. Please check back periodically for new information.
We hope to see you all at the next Granby Little League Meeting.
