Illinois Valley News: The Voice of the Illinois Valley

I.V. Little League needs volunteers, sponsors for 2008

From our weekly issue dated December 26, 2007

As the year draws to a close, the Illinois Valley Little League Board is hard at work gearing up for the 2008 season with board and district meetings, equipment reviews, and rules and schedules being drafted to assure that all is ready.

Early registrations will be held at Evergreen Elementary School in January, and try-outs are being scheduled for February. (See ad elsewhere in this issue for dates).

This year’s board is planning an Opening Day Ceremony, that will top last year’s event, sometime in late March. The first games are scheduled for April 7. Watch for announcements.

Team and league sponsors will be solicited beginning the first week of January. Several levels of sponsorship are offered. Team sponsors will have their names printed on the player’s game jerseys, and league sponsors will be recognized with their name on a banner that will display at the Jubilee Park field. And donations in any denomination are accepted as well.

Once again, the league is seeking additional community support by way of volunteers who can serve in the following capacities:

Coaches for 5-to-18-year-old players, umpires for all divisions, team scorekeepers, team managers, and concession stand assistants.

Anyone who would like to volunteer their time for a position with the league should phone Janet Ewing at 659-8618 “to express their desire to work with the kids.” Volunteer applications must be completed and a background check also is required for children’s safety.

The 2007 season involved more than 170 valley youth with 14 regular season teams and three All-Star season teams. The league’s Senior Division Players became the District 8 Champions and went all the way to become the 2007 Oregon State Champions and participated in the Western Regionals held in Salem.

“Without the support of the community we could not have done it,” said Ewing. “We urge community members to become involved with Little League this coming year, become a team sponsor, become a volunteer, make a cash donation, or just come out to the support the teams during game time at Jubilee Park.”