A former Little League baseball team. Courtesy photo
A former Little League softball team. Courtesy photo
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Browsing options for summer activities to enroll your child in? Perhaps America’s favorite pastime should be considered. Los Alamos Little League encompasses all of baseball’s and softball’s best qualities – the thrill of the sport and life skills it can teach.
Registration for Los Alamos Little League begins Jan. 1. If interested in participating in either baseball or softball, go to https://www.lalittleleague.org/.
The registration fee is $125; however, for newcomers to baseball/softball there is a “first timer” fee of $40. A skills assessment will be held March 1 and opening day is tentatively scheduled for April 12. The season goes through June. Little league is open to children ages 5 through 13.
Los Alamos Little League Board President Joe Coulter said changes are expected in the program.
“We are trying to make changes for the betterment of the community,” he said.
For one, the Los Alamos league is in a new district, which allows the Los Alamos league to qualify for all-stars with other competitive little leagues from the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas.
Additionally, the focus is to offer new uniforms and equipment, Coulter said.
“We are trying to invest a lot in the community to get people involved, develop fundamentals and have fun and build team camaraderie,” he said.
The community will hopefully in turn invest their time and efforts in Little League, Coulter said. He explained that volunteers are needed in multiple positions including board treasurer, safety officer, vice president of division, board members and umpire in change/coordinator.
“We need a little bit of everything,” Coulter said.
Little League attracts many players; Coulter said last season there were approximately 300 participants. He added that the hope for the new season is to ramp up the softball program, which is headed by Katie Benedict, as well as recruit for T-ball.
It’s little wonder why the program attracts so many young players, he said. “It’s a really fun spring activity. It’s a tradition here in Los Alamos and has been for many years.”
Coulter explained that participants learn the fundamentals of baseball and softball, and it is a chance for them to be with their friends. Even more than that, Little League inspires its young players to become good adults.
“Just being good kids, then good adults, turns out, is the core of Little League,” Coulter said.
Benedict pointed out that teamwork is also heavily emphasized in the program. A lot of skills are built in the program “and a lot of them are in relation to teamwork…” she said.
Plus, those who go through Little League often pursue baseball and softball at the high school level. It can even take players further than the high school level, Benedict played competitive softball in college.
Little League graduate Colin Hoch praised the program.
“I enjoyed playing a sport I love and being able to enjoy it with my friends throughout the years,” he said. “I think the biggest thing I learned from it is to enjoy what you have when you have it, and even if you don’t do the best, you can have fun with what you’re doing.”
Little League is a team endeavor in every sense; Coulter said they are working with Los Alamos County to update the ball fields and address the regular appearance of gophers.
He added that others are encouraged to join the team through sponsorships. Coulter said several businesses in town such as Pig+Fig, SSI and Children’s Dentistry are sponsors but more are being sought.
For more information about sponsoring Little League or just general questions about the program, email info.lalittleleague@gmail.com.
