PRESIDENT'S LETTER
Spring 2008 -- Opening Day Edition!
Thanks to everyone for a fantastic Opening Day this season! The weather was great, the crowds were great, our silent auction was a huge success, and everyone reports having great day to start our 2008 Spring season. Thanks to all our volunteers, board members, and sponsors for helping make this year's carnival the biggest and best ever.
ALL STAR TEAMS
With our season now fully underway, it's time to make sure we're fully up to speed on All Stars voting and play. Remember: "All Star" recognition is both a reward and a responsibility: All Star teams compete in the name of their home for post-season honors, with teams advancing to district, state, regional and national tournaments! Make sure you have these dates in mind as you make your summer plans:
2008 All Stars Summer Tournament Dates:
* 9 year olds -- first round tournament runs June 8-16
* 10 year olds -- first round tournament runs June 17-25
* 11 year olds -- first round tournament runs June 25-July 3
* Majors -- first round tournament runs June 27-July 6
* Jrs/Srs -- first round tournament runs June 29-July 7
All Star Voting will run during the week of May 12, with teams voting together before or after scheduled games in that week. Full explanation of the voting process, as well as blank "Affidavits of Availability" will be delivered to coaches very soon.
Important points to remember:
* In order to participate in Little League Tournament play, a player must have a completed 2008 Affidavit of Availability turned no later than Friday May 2, 2008.
* All Star players are ineligible for play for any other organized teams ("select ball" or "tournament teams") until their Little League Tournament team is eliminated from tournament play.
CHALLENGER BASEBALL
If you've been to the KALL fields on Sundays this season, then you've probably seen our Challenger Baseball program in action. Challenger Baseball is a fantastic program delivering baseball fun and excitement to special needs kids who might otherwise not be able to enjoy the Little League experience. More than a hundred special needs ballplayers come out on these Sunday afternoons where hundreds of "Challenger Buddy" volunteers help make sure that these players get all the support and assistance and encouragement they need to have a fantastic day of baseball, while parents of these great kids get to relax in the stands and cheer their kids. Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated, and if you have a service organization or group looking for a great and rewarding way to do something good for your community, then Challenger Baseball might be the ticket. Check our website for more details.
IMPROVEMENTS & AWARDS
By now I'm sure you've already noticed some of the fantastic improvements to our facilities, but let me take a moment to boast a little:
--CONCESSION STAND
This season we're excited to offer a totally renovated concession stand with an improved upgraded menu, fresh paint job, upgraded equipment, and full service staff. Not only can you get sodas, snow cones, and bubble gum, but we also offer pizza, hot dogs, nachos, chicken strips, and sausage on a stick. Bring the whole family out to the ballpark and grab a tasty meal while you watch Katy American Baseball action!
--DUGOUT COVERS
If you've already played a Saturday morning or midday game, then you already know how great this new addition is. All KALL fields boast brand new weatherproof covers over all dugouts, giving our players a far more comfortable place to rest between innings. With the way the Gulf Coast heat can bear down in the spring and early summer, this is an improvement we know everyone will appreciate.
--MOST IMPROVED PARK
In case you missed the news earlier this year, again let me brag about our recent award from Harris County Parks Department for having the "Most Improved Park" in the county! All the work put into KALL park has made it one of THE finest youth baseball complexes in the region, and we hope you appreciate how lucky we are to have both the park and the resources to deliver such great facilities.
--NEW SPONSORS AND SIGNAGE
Be sure and check out the new sponsor board on the concession stand and offer a thought of thanks to all our generous 2008 Spring Baseball sponsors. These companies understand the value of the Little League experience and their donations and support help make our league possible. On behalf of Katy American Little league and the more than 1000 kids we serve, let me personally thank our sponsors, donors, and corporate partners.
LAST CALL FOR 2008 GEAR
We still have a limited number of 2008 t-shirts and snow cone mugs available, but supplies are starting to dwindle down, so if you're looking for a great memory item from this season of play, be sure and check availability from either the concession stand or a red-shirted BMOD (Board Member On Duty) when next at the ballpark.
COMING SOON: "OPERATION SCOREBOARD"
Our next major capital expense will be to replace and modernize the scoreboards on all KALL fields. Thanks to generous sponsors, we already have a nice start towards that effort, but we'll soon announce a program of dedicated giving to help secure the money for this major and much-needed expense. Strong support from all KALL family and friends can help make this effort an even bigger success, so please keep your eyes open for news!
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Again, thanks to all for helping make this the biggest and best year ever for Katy American Little League. I'd love to hear comments and suggestions for more ways to improve the experience, so drop us a line, or feel free to find a red-shirt BMOD at the ballpark. We are here to serve you and your families, and I look forward to seeing you and your kids at the ball park!
Thanks,
Mike Williams, 2008 President
Katy American Little League