Regular Season & Challenge Tryouts

Regular season Little League tryouts are this weekend. Baseball players age 6-12 that are trying out for the AL, NL or Major League have been assigned a specific tryout time.

Challenge Baseball tryouts for ages 8-14 are coming soon. Here is the schedule:

• 8's and 9's - Tuesday (2/28) at 5:30 - Randolph Park.
• 10's, 11's and 12's - Wednesday (2/29) at 5:30 - Randolph Park.
• 13's and 14's - Saturday (3/3) time TBD - Independence Park.

Dr. Andrews Offers Some Advice to Baseball

If you are a coach or the parent of a pitcher, here's an important article with some words of wisdom from Dr. James Andrews, considered by many to be the leading orthopedic surgeon in the world. Here are some highlights of what he has to say:

• Radar guns should be outlawed. Trying to throw harder increases the chance of injury.

• Young pitchers throwing at high velocities are putting too much stress on their elbow.

• Year-round baseball should be banned. Ligaments need rest to develop.

• Pitchers should never pitch on consecutive days.

• Pitchers should never finish an inning when they are tired or sore.

• Playing on multiple teams is a risk factor, especially when the coaches do not communicate.

Coaching Your Own Kid

If you are planning to coach your own son or daughter's team this season, I highly recommend that you read this article by Janis Meredith:  6 Steps to Successfully Coaching Your Own Child. 

Meredith offers the following advice for the benefit of all involved - the child, the parent, the team and the league:

1. Get objective opinions about each child's abilities from your fellow coaches.
2. Give fair treatment to all. Don't treat your child better or worse than the other players.
3. Do not coach at home unless your child brings it up.
4. Prepare your kids for peer pressure they may encounter because you are the coach.
5. Remind your child that you are their coach on the field, not just their parent.
6. Be an unconditional coach. "If you are going to volunteer to help coach your child's team, commit yourself to doing what's best for the entire team, not just your child. If you can't do that, don't coach."

So many leagues have been negatively affected by "daddyball." The "what's in it for me and my kid" attitude

MPTLL Discounts at Dick's Sporting Goods

Come to Dick's Sporting Goods at SouthPark this Saturday, February 18th and save up to 25% off in-store merchandise. Print this coupon and bring it with you to the store for 15% off your entire purchase between 10:00 and 4:00. League representatives will be on-site from 10:00-2:00 to hand out additional 10% off coupons for baseball gear. They will be taking last minute registrations and answering questions about Myers Park as well. MPTLL families can also register for a chance to win a $50 gift card. So take an inventory of your spring season needs and head over to Dick's Sporting Goods on Saturday.

Final Days of Spring Registration

Spring registration for Myers Park Trinity Little League Baseball, Softball and T-Ball ends this Sunday, February 19. Don't wait until it's too late. 8U and 10U Softball is already full. Signing up online is easy and only takes a few minutes. You can pay by check or credit card.

And don't forget that tryouts for 6-12-year-old baseball are next weekend, February 25-26. Each player should have a specific tryout time assigned to them. Please arrive early to check in and warm up.

Little League Round Tables Are in Charlotte

The 2012 Little League Regional Round Tables are in Charlotte today. Little League is visiting each of the five US regions to educate and get input from District Administrators (DA's) and Assistant DA's regarding proposed regulation changes for the future. The agenda established by Little League to facilitate discussion indicated that big changes could be around the corner.