In many American households, the advent of spring means one thing: Little League baseball. Across the country, gloves are being broken-in, throwing arms strengthened and fielding techniques perfected in anticipation of the start of the season.
Walla Walla is no different. Over 550 kids in the greater Walla Walla area are expected to turn out this year for what promises to be an exciting season.
“Early bird” sign ups, where parents can register early in order to avoid the rush right before tryouts, will be held Saturday, Feb. 14 outside of Shopko. Regular registration is from Feb. 18-21 and Feb. 23-28.
Early registration helps organizers more accurately plan for the upcoming season, allowing them breathing room with tryouts quickly approaching in March.
“‘Early bird’ registration starts to give us an idea of where the numbers are going to go for the year,” said Pacific Little League President John Zodnick. “Little league numbers fluctuate yearly. If you can get the returning kids signed up sooner, it’s just that much done ahead of time and you’re not pushed so hard in March when you have practice and tryouts.”
Pacific Little League is looking for volunteers to help with registration. They also need volunteers during the season. Volunteer opportunities include umpiring, running the scoreboard, running concessions, or even buddying up with physically or mentally disabled players.
The Challenger baseball Program for disabled kids has been extremely successful since its inception. Players from DeSales High School often buddy with the kids, teaching them how to throw and hit.
“We have a lot of the DeSales kids come out and help the buddy program and we split it into teams and we have one buddy for every kid,” said Zodnick. “That’s our pride and joy, that’s the part we really like. See, when these kids enter the Challenger Program, they have entered Little League and they never forget that. It’s just a lot of fun to watch them.”
But volunteer opportunities are not limited to those listed above. According to Zodnick, the league allows a lot of freedom in choosing volunteer opportunities.
“One of our volunteers was a photographer and he just came out and took pictures of all the teams and all the kids,” said Zodnick. “Parents would pick them up for about $2.50 a shot and he’d give a little bit back to the league for doing it. We never say no to a volunteer.”
Pacific Little League has had a hard time recruiting volunteers lately because of increased interest in other sports like soccer and karate. The number of players that join Little League has decreased over the last few years for the same reason.
“Baseball is holding its own, but it used to be a lot better,” said Zodnick. “There are so many youth activities now that it’s hard for parents to do everything: soccer, baseball, karate, dance and all that. It’s just getting harder and harder. When they didn’t have soccer and all the other activities, our leagues were a lot fuller.”
In contrast, though, volunteers have stayed loyal.
“[Volunteering] can get in your blood really easy,” said Zodnick. “I know people that volunteered down in our place at one time who left and they just seemed to sniff out a Little League in the town they moved to and, before you know it, they’re helping out another league. It’s just something to give back to the kids.”
