To the editor:

Little League International was founded more than 75 years ago by Carl Stoltz in Williamsport, Pa. It’s the largest organized youth sports organization in the world with more than 200,000 teams across the globe. What is more amazing than the size and breadth of Little League is the fact that it started with only three teams in Williamsport which were sponsored by three local businesses: Lundy Lumber, Lycoming Dairy and Jumbo Pretzel.

Little League’s origins, founded on community and local business support, have not been lost here on Bainbridge. Drive by Rotary Field and you will see that support at work between the generous backing of the Rotarians, the resources and support of our Parks Department and of course the many volunteers and businesses who have donated their time and money to make Owen’s Playground and the Rotary Ball field renovations a reality.

Every spring the island buzzes with anticipation amongst the boys and girls who play softball and baseball for the upcoming Little League season. For some they are playing out of sheer enjoyment of our national pastime. For others it is an opportunity to join a team with friends from school or the neighborhood and maybe even make some new friends along the way. For others still it might just be so they can chase a dream of reaching the Little League World Series or growing up to be a big leaguer like islanders Robert McIlwain, who was drafted in 1974 by the Pittsburg Pirates, or Brian Coleman who was drafted in 1990 by the Cleveland Indians and of course Jeff D’Amico former Kansas City Royal and Nick Lyon who was drafted by Tampa Bay.

Believe it or not, December marked the start of the 2015 Little League season with the kickoff of registration. Kids from 4 to 18 are welcome to join and be a part of a global legacy.

Although teams won’t be formed and practices won’t begin until March/April, it’s important to register now so we can properly plan and prepare for all that goes into making the season a success. Please visit our refreshed website at www.bilittleleague.org to register now.

Little League is an all-volunteer organization. Bainbridge Island Little League in particular would not exist if not for the mostly unnoticed, truly heroic efforts by the many volunteers and sponsors that have made the Little League season a success year after year. Particular thanks go to the outgoing board for their diligent efforts to help the league thrive well after their own kids were too old to play.

There is a constant need for help and you don’t have to have a child in the league to get involved. Go to www.bilittleleague.org to see the many opportunities to volunteer. Umpires, grounds crew, snack-shack volunteers to fund raisers; we need help in many forms. Or, if you cannot spare time, but are willing to help fund the many needs of the league like covered batting cages, field drainage or simply new equipment you can donate at www.bilittleleague.org/donate.

Thank you to the community of Bainbridge Island for your support of Little League whether it’s through the taxes you pay used to maintain the parks or the time or treasure you provide to help create possibilities for the kids on our island.

Play ball!

TIM DUFFY

President

Bainbridge Island Little League