MPTLL Dives Into Social Media

Myers Park Trinity Little League has recently ventured into social media via Facebook and Twitter as an additional way to spread information to the families and supporters of our league.

The new MPTLL Facebook page is up and running with a sampling of league news, including information about registration for the spring season. It will be updated throughout the year with the latest on Myers Park teams, people, events, announcements, league history, baseball and softball info and Little League news. So "like" us on Facebook if you want to stay in the loop. And please help us use Facebook to spread the word about spring registration. There is an additional Facebook page devoted to the alumni and history of Myers Park Trinity, so check that out as well.

Twitter is another valuable tool for getting quick and easy access to information on subjects that interest you. Even if you don't tweet anything yourself, you can sign up and follow groups or people of your choosing to have announcements, articles and ideas delivered instantly to your phone or computer. So sign up and "follow" the MPTLL Twitter feed for all the latest league info. And for more on baseball, softball and youth sports in general, follow yours truly.

Register Online for the Spring Season

Online registration for the Myers Park Trinity Little League Spring Season is underway and will continue through February 19. Charlotte's oldest Little League is celebrating it's 60th anniversary this year with its usual assortment of baseball, softball and tee ball divisions.

For more information, go to the league website for the spring calendar, boundary map, all-star and challenge program info, parents' and coaches' FAQ and much more.

Little League Bat Info Page

If you are wondering the difference between BBCOR and a BPF... or comp vs. alloy... or you want to know which bats will be allowed this season... Little League has put all of this information and more on one page. Here's more info regarding the new Little League bat info page. Keep in mind that Myers Park Trinity is currently associated with Little League, Inc. in only the 5- through 12-year-old baseball divisions. Our older divisions and our Softball program do not fall under Little League rules.

"New Field" Backstop Going Up Today

All-Star Residency Documentation Change

Just a reminder for parents of prospective 2012 All-Star players.....

Documents collected for proof of residency must now be dated or in force between February 1 of the previous and current years. This means that for the 2012 season documents must be from between February 1, 2011 and February 1, 2012. A driver's licence in effect during that time would be accepted. This rule mainly applies to the All-Star Tournament season, when these documents must be presented to Little League officials for player eligibility.

Click here for more information on this and other rule changes. And here is more info on the specific proof of residency documentation that will be acceptable.

Spring Registration Coming Soon

The registration period for Spring 2012 baseball and softball is almost here. Online signups begin January 14th, and remain the easiest way to register your kids. For more information about our various divisions of play, check out the Spring Season page on the MPTLL website. To find out if you reside within the established Little League territory of Myers Park Trinity, take a look at our latest Boundary Map. For information on preseason baseball and softball instruction at our park, visit Hardball Mechanics. And here are some important dates to be aware of:

Online Registration:  January 14 - February 19
Concession Stand Walkup Registration:  February 4, 10:00-2:00
Softball Practice Period Begins:  February 25
Little League Baseball Skills Assessments (Tryouts):  February 25-26
Challenge Team Tryouts:  February 28-29
Major League Draft:  March 1
National League Draft:  March 2
American League Draft:  March 3
Little League Baseball Practice Period Begins:  March 5
Softball Games Begin:  March 17
Opening Day / Baseball Games Begin:  March 24
Picture Day:  April 14
Spring Break - No Games:  March 31 - April 7
T-Ball Season Closes:  May 12
Softball Season Closes:  May 20
Memorial Day - No Regular Season Games:  May 26
Closing Day / Little League Baseball Season Closes:  June 2
All-Star Season Begins:  June 4

Junior and Senior League dates have not been determined. The complete league calendar is here.

Park Cleanup Day - Saturday, Dec. 3rd

Please join us this Saturday, December 3rd, for our annual fall park cleanup day at the MPTLL fields at Randolph Park. It begins at 9am and will last most of the day. There will be leaves and other debris to collect, as well as other projects that need helping hands.

We are truly fortunate to have one the the finest youth baseball and softball facilities around. And there is a reason - our volunteer grounds crew does not have an offseason. There are routine maintenance tasks (like grass cutting, debris cleanup, equipment maintenance and dirt replacement) and special projects (like field construction, sod cutting, painting, tree removal, concrete pouring and drainage control) all year long. I think one of the greatest challenges for our grounds crew is simply how to prioritize all the work. But they are always committed to getting it done.

I've been associated with Myers Park Trinity for most of my life and I have never seen the park looking so great on a consistent basis like it has in recent years. Nor have I seen such a hard-working and dedicated volunteer grounds crew. Regardless of the weather, the season or the time of day, I see either Tony McNay, Boyd Correll or another member of our grounds crew working at the park almost every time I go out there for lessons or practice. Their commitment is really amazing.

Occasionally they ask for our help, and we need to deliver. So please try to find some time this Saturday to lend a hand. And spread the word to other parents and coaches about this event so we can get as many volunteers as possible. You can send them a link to this post.

It starts at 9:00 am and will last all day. So even if you have basketball or some other activity to attend, hopefully you can spend a couple of hours before or after at the park. If you have a gas-powered leaf blower, please bring it. If not, bring a rake. A couple of snow shovels will be needed too for debris removal. Hope to see you on Saturday.

Little League Rule Changes for 2012

Little League International has announced its rule changes for 2012, some of which will directly affect Myers Park Trinity. Our Major League division may now play "dropped third strike" rules. And the residency documentation process for All-Stars has gotten more strict - documents must now come from within a specific time frame. More details are here.

MPTLL Wall of Champions

Next time you're at the park, check out the latest addition beyond the right field fence of Randolph East Field. It has been dubbed the "Wall of Champions" and it celebrates our recent string All-Star tournament winners. Each team has a sign commemorating its accomplishment with a team photo and roster.

So far there are signs for the following teams that have won Little League banners over the last four years: the 2008 9-10-year-old District 3 Champions, the 2010 11-12-year-old District 3 Champions, and the 2011 10-year-old and 11-year-old TOC Champs. The 2011 9-year-old TOC and State Invitational Champions will be added soon. And we hope to add many more signs in the years to come.

Little League Bat Regulations Announced For 2012

Little League International has announced its bat regulations for the 2012 season. There do not appear to be any major changes at the Major League level and below. The composite bat moratorium and updated list of approved composite bats remains in effect. Here is more info.

Keep in mind that the Myers Park Trinity Softball division, as well as our Junior League baseball division and above, are NOT governed by Little League.