Athletics

We need ALL parents and players to answer some important questions we have set up online about your manager or coach. In the past, we have mailed all families questionnaires, but this is, after all, the twenty-first century, so we have moved our questionnaires online. Why is it important for you to answer the questions? Two big reasons: First, this is the main way we get feedback on what kind of job your manager did. We appoint new managers every year, and we try to choose only the very best. Second, every year we give the NMBOLL Manager of the Year Award in each division. We use these evaluations to decide who gets those prestigious awards. If you're a parent, please click here to answer your questions. If you have more than one child, just come back to this site for each child (you should be taken here automatically). If you're a player, please click here to answer your questions. You only have until midnight, May 15, 2005 to answer your questions, so HURRY!

Small-engine maker Briggs & Stratton is sponsoring the second annual Diamonds in the Rough program, encouraging children aged 7 to 12 in 15 markets to write a short essay explaining why their youth baseball field should receive the grand prize of $20,000 toward refurbishing. Winners in 14 markets will earn a baseball prize package, including tickets to a Major League Baseball game and $5,000 toward fixing up their fields. The $20,000 winner also gets a baseball clinic from Major League Baseball Hall of Famers, Lou Brock and Carlton Fisk. Players, ages 7 to 12, should submit an essay (150 words or less) answering the following questions:

1. Why should your ballpark be chosen as a Briggs & Stratton Diamonds in the Rough?
2. What specific improvements does your ballpark need?
3. How has the park positively impacted your life?

All entries must be postmarked by April 30, 2005. Click on the link below to download and entry form.

On Monday, March 21, your Board elected Greg Thomas to succeed Jim Allen as President for the remainder of the season. Congratulations, Greg! Everyone should please give Greg your full support to make this our best season yet.

Steve Goldstein at the Grateful Deli (15455 W. Dixie Hwy., 305.940.4141) has a special Little League offer he wants to make available to us. He will deliver box lunches to our games or practices (each including a turkey/ham/tuna/roast beef sandwich (with lettuce, tomato and cheese if requested), chips and a canned soda) for only $5 per lunch. He asks 1 to 2 hours advance notice, and a minimum of 12 lunches per order. Even though he is closest to Taylor (and the batting cages), he is extending this offer to all of our fields. PS The rest of his menu ain't bad either! Be sure to say hi and thanks to Steve next time you stop in.

By now, everyone should know that Sunday, April 10, we are going to watch the Marlins play the new Washington Nationals. Your team manager has fliers that you can use to order your tickets FROM HIM, and another copy is in the handout below. The checks parents write for their tickets should be payable to the manager, and the manager in turn will write ONE check payable to the league (NMBOLL) for the total number of tickets he wants for his team.