Owego Little League’s (OLL) draft is one of the most important events in the Little League experience. Just like when professional athletes go through the draft, OLL’s version will determine what team your children will play on, what new friends they will have an opportunity to meet and who will be sitting in the stands with you, cheering the team on.
To place players on teams, League officials come together on Monday for National and American, Tuesday for Modified and Tee Ball, and Thursday for Softball.
There will be options to ensure your children have the best of field experience possible based on their current skill level and age. Players who need a little more time to develop to play down or play up if they are ready to advance.
Children as young as four can begin in Tee Ball. These same children, with the support of their parents, can remain in the program all the way through the age of 18 using the Teener Program after graduating from the National League.
When the draft is complete, all managers will be notified that they may contact players on their respective rosters. Then practice will start on the Hyde Park fields.
OLL has 292 registered players for 24 teams in six divisions for Opening Day 2016.
Team breakdown by Division: Three for Softball Majors or National for girls ten to 12; one for Softball Minor or American; three for Baseball Majors for ages ten to 12; five for Baseball Minors or American for ages eight to 11; six for Modified (Machine Pitch) for ages six to eight; and six for Tee Ball for ages five to six.
League officials say volunteers are the fabric and substance of the program and those same people make the OLL what they want it to be.
Player Agent Eric Hawkins has final words on registration: “If anyone is on the fence about playing, please sign up before Draft Day, March 28.”
Shadowing involves following an OLL volunteer throughout his/her assignment to get a close look at what a particular position involves. It’s an ideal way to determine if you might really be cut out for the task. On the OLL website, www.eteamz.com/owego, look at the OLL Board and Staff Page and match your area of volunteer interest with an incumbent.
I Love OLL Because…? Explain from your heart what makes OLL special. Email your material to Jim Raftis at jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
Wanted: a research/writer for the last 15 years of OLL Baseball and TeeBall. Owego Girls Softball needs whatever information and reflections you can provide to develop its history.
Keep up to date on news about the OLL draft process and team practice schedules on the OLL website, www.teamz.com/owego.
Williamsport’s website at www.littleleague.org has valuable resources as well.
