Dear Riverside Little League Community,

It's amazing how another year has passed. It's already registration time for the 2012 Riverside Little League Season. Despite time passing so quickly, I've come to recognize there is no other Riverside based activity that provides the entire family an environment to connect with others like Little League does. Where else can you watch your children and your friends’ children learn life skills such as team work, sportsmanship and competition in a clean and safe setting while enjoying the great outdoors?

My son, Riley, completed his 8^th year of Riverside Little League in 2011.  Many of his fondest memories occurred on the playing fields of Hauser, Harrington Park and Indian Gardens.  Not only has he learned many life lessons playing on those fields he has built friendships with buddies that he may have never had the opportunity to meet if it had not been for baseball. Though I doubt he can tell you the record of each team, I am sure he can list countless good times had with each team!

The RLL Board is excited to get the 2012 season started.  This year’s emphasis is on training.  We are developing programs at all levels for baseball and softball.  We are also planning some coaching clinics. A new effort this year is to concentrate on specific skills such as softball pitching and catching in both baseball and softball.

Riverside Little League will hold two Open House sessions this month.  This will give parents a chance to meet with the Board and to drop off their registration and Manager/Coach applications.  The first open house is Sunday, 22 January from noon to 1:00 pm.  The second session is Saturday, 28 January from 9:00 am to 10:00 am.  Both sessions will be held at Riverside Town Hall.  Registrations can also be dropped off at Riverside Bank (17 E Burlington St) or mailed to PO Box 3, Riverside, IL 60546.

I also want to remind everybody of our Junior Baseball and Softball programs.  These programs are for players who are league age 13 and 14. (See the age chart in this packet) This is great program for those who want to continue playing after the Major level and play baseball with their friends.

There is a change on the equipment front.  Riverside Little League will NOT SUPPLY Batting Helmets.  This decision was made because of health and safety issues.  RLL will have a special purchase program for the helmets – the helmets will be $25.00.  Remember, Riverside Little League requires all helmets to have facemasks.

League fees will remain the same as last year and remain some of the lowest Little League fees in the area (North Riverside $140, LaGrange Park $165, River Forest $150, Burr Ridge $185).  Our great sponsors help greatly to keep our fees down.  Find registration forms and manager and coach applications at www.riversidell.com.

I encourage you not only to register your children to play, but you as parents, to register to coach and/or volunteer for the 2012 season. Very few community programs have been as constant and successful over the generations as Little League, so please join us in this wonderful Riverside family tradition. On behalf of the 2012 Riverside Little League Board of Directors we look forward to seeing you at the ballpark!

Rick Collins

President, Riverside Little League

RIVERSIDE LITTLE LEAGUE BOARD