ROTTERDAM The call goes out for wee ones to play ball League plans four six-player teams BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
When it comes to learning the fundamentals of baseball, Rotterdam's Little League likes to start their players out early. The league that boasts 450 players in five divisions and is one of the largest youth baseball programs in Schenectady County will add a new category to the mix this season: Wee Ball. The new division will enlist squads of 4-year-olds and teach them the mechanics often learned by children enrolling in Tee Ball, a division that encompasses 5- and 6-year-old players. League President Bob Caprara plans to have about four six-player teams in the Wee Ball division this spring. He said the youngsters will observe many of the same rules used in Tee Ball and will enlist the help of a parent or guardian to help them on the field. "Our big goal is to build a foundation not only for the children but for the families too," he said. In addition to uniforms, each Wee Ball player will also be given their own batting tee to practice at home. "Instead of playing Nintendo and games, they can be in the back yard hitting balls off their tee," he said. Chris LaVallee, the owner of Pinnacle Roofing, agreed to purchase the batting tees this year. "We were talking about it for a few months, how we were looking to get Wee Ball going and Chris said he'll go ahead and buy the tees," said John Twardy, the vice president of Rotterdam's Tee Ball division, who also works with La-Vallee. Caprara said Little League congress had initially considered allowing 4-year-old players in Tee Ball but ultimately decided against it. League officials in Rotterdam were instead cleared to try their idea for a year. Caprara said the new division will be non-competitive and focused on teaching. The new division has about a dozen players signed up for the spring season, but Caprara is hoping to get more. Any parents interested in signing their children up for Wee Ball can contact him at 376-0265 for more information. Reach Gazette reporter Justin Mason at 395-3113 or jmason@dailygazette.net
Weeball teams get in swing New league lets 4-year-olds get taste of organized baseball
By PAUL NELSON, Staff writer First published: Thursday, April 3, 2008
ROTTERDAM -- Jeff Van Dyk says his 4-year-old son, Andrew, can really hit a baseball, but it's other fundamentals of the game, like base running, that the father wants him to master at a young age. Andrew will be among a group of about two dozen boys who will compete in the newly created Weeball division of the Rotterdam Little League for 4-year-old sluggers.
Jeff Van Dyk says Andrew is eager for the season to get under way in May. "When the opportunity came up to play organized ball, he really wanted to do it," said Van Dyk, adding that baseball was also a big part of his youth. The mission of the four-team division will be to teach youngsters about teamwork and sportsmanship, said Ron Schlag, Weeball vice president. In all, there will be four teams of six players and each registrant will get a T-ball stand, donated by local business Pinnacle Roofing. The boys will practice on April 12 and 19 before the league begins play May 3 on the athletic fields in Princetown, Schlag said. A parent or adult will be on the field at each position during the games to help the kids out, Schlag said. "It's a good opportunity for them to bond and spend quality time with their kids outside of the confines of their home," Schlag said. The team sponsors are Towne Decorators, Schenectady Police Benevolent Association, Delaney Hydroseeding and Peppino's Pizza, Schlag said. Rotterdam resident David John Tomasek will play a dual role as parent and manager of Towne Decorators, the team his business will sponsor. "There's not much for the kids to do at that age, and you're always looking for something," Tomasek said. He said the game plan for his son, David Joseph Tomasek, is to get him started in organized ball and see if he likes the game. Paul Nelson can be reached at 454-5347 or by e-mail at pnelson@timesunion.com.
I guess its relative. I could get to most places in Princetown just as quickly as I could the HighBridge or Hamburg areas on the eastern end of town. I suppose its more inconvenient for those folks however. Hopefully something can be worked out.
Great, they get to go out to Princetown and play. Guess that's where the rest of Rotterdam's kids will have to go if they want to play ball.
I don't think going to Princetown to play ball is such a big deal. It's really not that far. Most people drive farther to work or to go shopping to Crossgates or Colonie center. Or even Mohawk Commons.
Rotterdam residents seem to have always wanted everything right in their back yard so they don't have to travel far. Well now we pretty much do have EVERYTHING RIGHT NEAR OUR BACK YARDS. So to that I say 'yes' to Princetown. Rotterdam just doesn't have much room left for anything. Including 'wee-ball'....just another baseball field to find land for.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
It's not Princetown where we play games, it's Princetown Road. The old Republican club area. I am a parent of a WeeBall player, and that is where our coach told us it was. The kids are really enjoying themselves, learning how to play ball, be part of a team, following directions.
The boys will practice on April 12 and 19 before the league begins play May 3 on the athletic fields in Princetown, Schlag said.
Thanks for clarifying that for us!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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