Family Day Match-Ups for Minors and Majors

The standings in Majors and Minors through Saturday, May 30, determine the match-ups for Family Day this coming Saturday. The schedules for Majors and Minors have been updated to reflect the game assignments.

Raffle Reminder

Please turn in all raffle tickets and money to John Belanger on or before Family Day, Saturday, June 6. John will be at Southern all day on the 6th near the concession stand. The drawing will take place at the end of the day.

You can read all the details about the raffle here.

Don't forget how great the prizes are this year!

The Grand Prize is a trip to Costa Rica followed by cash rewards of $2,000, $1,000 and $750 to First, Second, and Third Place winners respectively. The Costa Rica trip includes air, accommodations and spending money. I know the weather here in Michigan has been great lately, but remember what it was a month ago! It makes Costa Rica look like a great mid-winter get away.

And don't forget the sales incentives lined up for this year:

• a limited edition water bottle for every player who sells 5 or more tickets
• the top ticket selling team will join our own West Michigan White Caps on the field for the National Anthem later in July.

Please call me if you have any questions or concerns, including requests for additional tickets, ideas on how best to succeed is your sales efforts, and information on how to return ticket stubs and money.

Thank you all for your efforts,
John Belanger
520-3231

Important Message for Umpires

Umpires, please bring your game schedules for the next two weeks this Saturday morning, May 30. There will be no umpire sign-up on Family Day, Saturday, June 6. Questions? Contact Jamie.

Rescheduled Rain-Out for Minors: Berglund & Sayfie

We have rescheduled the game that was rained out way back in April. The added game is shaded orange on the updated schedule:

• The Berglund vs Sayfie game that was rained out Monday, April 27, will now be played on Sunday, June 14, at 2:00pm at Southern's West field.
  

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Schedule Change for Seniors on June 24

We have made a change to the schedule for the Senior League on June 24. The modified games are now shaded orange on the schedule:

• Primus and Huizenga will switch times and opponents. Primus will now play Banasczak at 5:30pm, and Huizenga will now play Malewitz at 7:30pm.

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Big League Sign-Up

You can still sign up online for Big League (ages 17-18) Baseball thru June 10. Click here to sign up online. For other sign-up details, see our original sign-up post here, bearing in mind that the deadlines for other leagues are long past.

Family Day Volunteers Needed

Family Day is coming up soon - Saturday, June 6th. We are looking for volunteers to work in the food tent and to staff various kids games that day. Jobs include serving food, taking orders, managing the bounce house, etc. None of these jobs is very difficult, but we need lots of volunteers.

The activities run from 10:00am until 8:00pm. We divide this time into two-hour shifts. If you're willing to take a two-hour shift, please email Amy, our Family Day volunteer coordinator and let her know the times you are available:

• familyday@southernll.org

Thanks for your support.

Softball Pitching Instruction

Southern's own Brenna Parks is offering softball pitching instruction. Click the brochure to see it full-size.

Family Day Major and Minor All-Star Voting Procedure

Hello all Major and Minor Baseball players. The Family Day All-Star Games will be held at 7:30 on June 6th. These games are played with the emphasis on the players choosing the teams. Coaches have been instructed to conduct a vote using ballots, and only the players will be voting for these teams. The voting is to take place some time next week between Tuesday, May 26, and Saturday, May 30. Minor league baseball players will vote for 2 players from their team and Major league baseball players will vote for 3 players from their team to represent their league in the All-Star games. Have fun choosing your representatives and then come out Saturday June 6th at 7:30 to support them.

Seniors Schedule Now Available

The schedule for the senior baseball league is now available online. Players should have been contacted already by their coaches. Games begin on Wednesday, May 27.

Raffle Update

The 2009 Southern Little League Raffle is in full swing and needs your commitment to make this important fund-raiser a success.

The Grand Prize is a trip to Costa Rica followed buy cash rewards of $2,000, $1,000 and $750 to First, Second, and Third Place winners respectively. The Costa Rica trip includes air, accommodations and spending money. I know the weather here in Michigan has been great lately, but remember what it was a month ago! It makes Costa Rica look like a great mid-winter get away.

Prize winners will be drawn on Family Day, Saturday, June 6. (You need not be present to win.)

And don't forget the sales incentives lined up for this year:

• a limited edition water bottle for every player who sells 5 or more tickets
• the top ticket selling team will join our own West Michigan White Caps on the field for the National Anthem later in July.

Please call me if you have any questions or concerns, including requests for additional tickets, ideas on how best to succeed is your sales efforts, and information on how to return ticket stubs and money.

Thank you all for your efforts,
John Belanger
520-3231

Schedule Change for Majors Lubben & Horjus

We have made a change to the schedule for the Major League on May 20. The following game has been removed from the schedule:

• The Lubben vs Horjus game at 7:30pm on May 20 has been postponed until a later date. We'll make another announcement once we have a date for the rescheduled game.

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Important Message for Umpires

Umpires, there will be no umpire sign-up Saturday morning, May 23. Please bring your game schedules for the next two weeks this Saturday morning, May 16. Questions? Contact Jamie.

Saturday Events

Come out this Saturday and watch some great high school baseball at Southern. East Grand Rapids High School will host this exciting round robin tournament. Here is the schedule:

• 2:30pm - East Grand Rapids vs West Catholic
• 4:45pm - Catholic Central vs. West Catholic
• 7:00pm - East Grand Rapids vs. Catholic Central

Don't forget: Saturday is also picture day at Southern.

See you all at the ballpark!

Schedule Change for Juniors Buffinga & Cothern

At the request of the coaches involved, we have made a change to the schedule for the Minor League on May 17. The changed game is now shaded orange on the schedule.

• The Buffinga vs Cothern game on May 20 has been rescheduled for 7:30pm on Thursday, June 4, on Southern's Henwood diamond.
  

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Schedule Changes for Minors Kirschgessner, Schneider, Berglund & Sayfie

We have made two changes to the schedule for the Minor League on Sunday, May 17. The following games have been removed from the schedule:

• The Kirchgessner vs Schneider game that was rained out Saturday, May 9, and then rescheduled for Sunday, May 17, has been postponed until a date to be determined later.
• The Berglund vs Sayfie game that was originally rained out on Monday, April 27, and then rescheduled for Sunday, May 17, has been postponed until a date to be determined later.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our players, coaches and fans.
As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Rescheduled Rain-Outs for Juniors, Majors & Minors

We have rescheduled the three rained out games from this past Saturday, May 9. The changed games are now shaded orange on the updated schedules. Here are the rescheduled games:

• Juniors
  The Cothern vs Hollern game that was rained out Saturday, May 9, will now be played on Thursday. May 14, at 7:30pm at Southern's Henwood field.
  
• Majors
  The Horjus vs Vaughn game that was rained out Saturday, May 9, will now be played on Sunday, May 17, at 1:00pm at Southern's East field.
• Minors
  The Kirchgessner vs Schneider game that was rained out Saturday, May 9, will now be played on Sunday, May 17, at 3:00pm at Southern's West field
  

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Mid-Season Update from the Directors

Hello Everyone,

The baseball and softball season is off to a great start this year at Southern. A little rainy, but we have been able to work around that. We wanted to update everyone on a few things and ask for your help for some others.

• It has been brought to our attention that on some occasions the pitching machines have not been set up on time or for the correct baseball/softball configuration. We have corrected that problem on our end.
• We are noticing that many teams are not signing up for practice times in either the batting cages or at Lakeside or Breton Downs. We know you are busy, however we strongly encourage all softball and baseball teams to get practice time in. This will be very beneficial for all of the players.
• Southern depends on everyone's fundraising support in order to keep the player fees at a minimum. We need your help with this year's raffle. It has been brought to our attention that some teams have not passed out their raffle tickets yet. If you have not received your raffle tickets please speak to your coach or team parent. For details see the raffle page on this website. For additional tickets please contact John Bellanger. Let's make this the best raffle ever!
  

Thank you for all of your support and have a great season. We look forward to seeing you on Family Day where someone will win a trip to Costa Rica.

Southern Little League Directors

Southern's Angels Honor Nick Adenhart

On April 9, LA Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart was tragically killed by a drunk driver. You can read about Nick's career in his obituary here. To honor Nick's memory and to raise awareness for the tragedy of drunk driving, Southern's Minor League Angels coached by Rocky Vulpetti have decided to display Nick's number 34 on their caps.

Schedule Change for Minors Berglund & Sayfie

At the request of the coaches involved, we have made a change to the schedule for the Minor League on May 17. The changed game is now shaded orange on the schedule.

• The Berglund vs Casey game that was rained out on April 27 has been rescheduled for 1:00pm on Sunday, May 17, on the West diamond.
  

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Coaches: Schedule Team Photos ASAP

Coaches, if you have not yet scheduled your team picture time for Saturday, May 16, please call McConomy Photography as soon as possible to arrange a time for your team picture. All teams must be photographed in order to provide sponsor pictures. Picture order envelopes will be delivered to you for distribution to your team. Just call or email today:

• phone: 616.662.0521
• email: maccphoto@comcast.net

Schedule Change for Majors Casey & Rossi

At the request of the coaches involved, we have made a change to the schedule for the Major League on May 15. The changed game is now shaded orange on the schedule.

• The Casey-Rossi game at 5:30pm on Friday, May 15, has been rescheduled for 3:00pm on Sunday, May 17. The location is unchanged.
  

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Schedule Change for Majors Schwenneker, Horjus, Kuperus & Henkey

At the request of the coaches involved, we have made a change to the schedule for the Major League on May 14. The changes are now shaded orange on the schedule.

• The Schwenneker-Horjus game at 5:30pm on May 14 has been switched with the Kuperus-Henkey game at 7:30pm on May 14.

As a rule, whenever we make a change or correction to a schedule, we always announce it to all our email subscribers. That means some of you might receive schedule change announcements for leagues not of interest to you. But hopefully you can understand the importance of notifying players, families, umpires and volunteers about schedule changes.

Announcing the 2009 Raffle!

Grand Prize: a week for two in Costa Rica

• Round trip airfare from Detroit to San Jose, Costa Rica
  
• 7 nights stay at Villas Pepitas in Playa Samara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
  
• $500 cash for transportation, meals and entertainment
• Here is a flyer (pdf) describing the grand prize
  

First Prize: $2,000 cash

Second Prize: $1,000 cash

Third Prize: $750 cash

Details:

• Tickets cost $20 each or six for $100.
• The drawing takes place on Family Day, Saturday, June 6. (You need not be present to win.)
  
• Individual players who sell five or more tickets will win a Southern Little League sports bottle.
• The team that sells the most tickets will attend a Whitecaps game and be on the field for the National Anthem.
• Here is a flyer (pdf) with all the details.
• Here is a flyer (pdf) for the players detailing prizes they can win for selling tickets.

Please contact John with questions at john.belanger@att.net or 520-3231.

Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for volunteers at the concession stand. If you are willing to help out for even an hour or two, stop by the concession stand and speak to Jen or Kevin.

Also, team parents, please make sure to turn in your team's volunteer sign-up forms in to the concession stand.