Calendar

Dec 6: Spring 2012 Registration Begins

Jan 13: Registration Closes

Jan 14: Pre-Season Clinic

Jan 21: Player Tryouts

** Tentative Dates - Subject to Change**

Vol 19: November 2011

2012 Spring Season

Little League Announces New Bat Rules For 2012

Little League International has announced new bat specifications for the 2012 season. As the holidays approach, please consider the following rules before purchasing a new bat for your child. Full Article

2012 Majors Expansion

The Menlo-Atherton Little League Board has voted to expand the Majors Division from 6 to 7 teams for the 2012 Season. In addition, there will be significant changes in the Major's Draft procedures starting in 2013. Details

Field Maintenance

MA Little League Needs You!!

The league remains committed to providing the best possible playing fields for all age groups. In order to do so, we are creating a new volunteer position called Field Captain to oversee each of our fields... More Info

2012 Little League Bat Standards

In an effort to provide timely information on bat rules, Little League International recently announced the bat specifications and standards for the 2012 season. As the holidays approach you may be considering a new bat for your child. Please carefully understand a few key points before making any purchase:

1. Menlo-Atherton Little League Board of Directors voted in 2011 to allow approved composite bats in our Majors division only! All Minors divisions (AAA and below) are not allowed to use any composite barrel bats (composite handle / aluminum barrel bats are allowed).
2. Only Little League approved bats may be used in the Majors division. If an illegal bat is used there are penalties for the player and the coach.
3. No big barrel bats of any kind are allowed in Little League baseball.
4. This list provided by Little League changes regularly, please bookmark the link for future review.

Here are highlights from the actual text of the 2012 baseball bat rules, plus a link to the Little League International web site for approved composite bats:

• For the Little League Major Baseball Division and below: The moratorium on composite-barreled baseball bats remains in effect. However, some composite-barreled baseball bats that have been proven in laboratory testing to meet the BPF (Bat Performance Factor) standard throughout the life of the bat, through the Accelerated Break-In (ABI) process, have received waivers. That list is here: Licensed/Approved Composite 2 1/4 Bats.

Please remember, only the Menlo-Atherton Majors division is allowed to use approved composite bats!!! If your son or daughter is hoping to make Majors it might be best to wait when purchasing a bat that could cost over $200. If you have any further questions please visit us at our newly updated "Contact Us" page with useful email addresses for your questions/concerns.

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2012 Majors Expansion

Menlo Atherton Little League has been growing in recent years, and as a result, there will be more kids moving through the Majors division in coming years. In an effort to accommodate more players in Majors, the Board has decided to make the following changes to the Majors Division starting in 2012:

• Starting in 2012, the Majors Division will expand from 6 to 7 teams (with a possibility of going to 8 teams in 2013).
• All returning Majors players will stay with their existing Majors teams for 2012 (starting in 2013, the league will move to a "Redraft" option - see below)
• Majors teams will play each other 3 times during the season - this will reduce the total number of Majors game from 20 per team, down to 18.
• The 2012 draft order will be modified to give the new expansion team a greater chance to be competitive in the 2012 season (as they will have no returning Majors players).

The Board has also voted to change the way Majors teams are formed, starting in 2013:

• All players will re-enter the draft each year - players will no longer remain on the same Majors team year after year (as spelled out in Little League Operating Manual - Plan B).
• All 12 yr olds and all returning Majors players are guaranteed a place in Majors (if they want it).

Little League International has been strongly encouraging leagues to move to the Redraft Option for several years now. The Redraft means that there is a yearly rebalancing of teams, leading to a better chance at parity across the league, smoothing out unfair advantages and eliminating painful 'rebuilding' years. Ultimately this makes for a more competitive league and more enjoyable experience for everyone. It also allows kids to experience a broader range of coaching styles. The Redraft option also makes the decision of whether or not to expand/contract the division a lot easier - no expansion or eliminated teams.

Note, we are putting this off for one year to allow coaches and parents to adjust and to allow this year's 12 yr olds to finish out their Little League careers on their current teams.

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Important New Volunteer Position - Field Captain!!!

In addition to league fees, all MA Little League parents are required to volunteer in some fashion to help keep the league running. A lot of the work to maintain and care for our playing fields has always come from league volunteers. Cuts in city and school budgets in the last few years, however, have required us to step up our level of responsibility even further. In order to continue providing the best possible playing fields for all age groups, the league has created an important new volunteer position called Field Captain to oversee each of our playing fields.

The Field Captain is primarily an "eyes on site" responsibility -- checking the field frequently to make sure that it is in the best possible shape. We'll teach you what to look for. When the field is not at peak levels, it is your job to get help from the appropriate resources to correct the problem. Ideal candidates already have a reason to be on (or near) the fields a several times a week.

Field Captain is mostly an ADMINISTRATIVE or MANAGEMENT job. The chief duties are making sure that things get done on schedule, coordinating volunteer work days, managing equipment/materials inventories and maintaining good relationships with the field "owners".

Field Captains will be assigned a team of volunteer parents to help with these duties. There will be one board member overseeing all Field Captains. This board member is very qualified in all aspects of Field Maintenance and will provide direction and support as well as all of the machinery work needed to keep the field in tip top shape.

Experience with turf, or gardening in general is helpful, but NOT required (we will teach you what you need to know).

We are actively recruiting Field Captains for all fields:

• Burgess
• Willow
• Encinal
• Holbrook Palmer
• German American
• Las Lomitas

Please sign up! We need your help to make the season a success and in keeping our program at the high level we want for our children. Please email Michael Mimeles at michael@mimeles.com for more information or to volunteer.

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