2021 Libertyville Little League Opening Day
Saturday, April 17th at 10 a.m.
A Message from the LLL Board of Directors
The 2021 Libertyville Little League Board of Directors would like to welcome everyone back to LLL baseball! We hope you all are enjoying the Springing of the year, getting a few practices in, and we look forward to seeing you all (from proper distance) at the beautiful Butler Lake Park facility real soon!
The baseball community has spoken! Let's Play Ball!
We are proud to be kicking off our 70th year of operation as a Chartered Little League program with our Opening Day Saturday, April 17th at 10AM. Please read through the attached Opening Day Program of Events to learn about the Joe Flood volunteer award recipient Kevin Scott, peruse the list of our many local business sponsors, and the directory of our volunteer board members who have gone above and beyond over the last year and a half of planning, pausing, discontinuing, and resetting our baseball program. We look forward to our Boy Scouts Color Guard presenting the American Flag for the National Anthem
Thank you to all of our parent volunteers for your help. Especially this season. The Board understands that this is very challenging for all of us. We focus on the kids and having the best experience possible for all of them. We have tried as a board to put in place a robust support system of volunteers to help out. Please support all the volunteer managers, coaches, team parents, and field marshals. They are not the covid police and they need all of our help to follow our health and safety guidelines. Please remember, our amended rules of play are simply reflecting the current public health and safety guidelines written for baseball activities, and apply to all LLL activities (games and practices) much like requirements for entering a store or school. We need everyone’s help to focus on the kids having fun so please do your part to help this be the best experience it can be for our players.
Most of all, we humbly thank you all for your support to have confidence in the quality of our program.
2021 LLL Board of Directors
2021 Volunteer Opportunities
A Message from the LLL Board of Directors
As our Opening Day (April 17) is a little over a month away, we wanted to update all current and prospective registrants on changes to the volunteer requirement for the 2021 season. When registration first kicked off in December of last year we had hoped to press forward with our concession offering as in years past. However, due to recommendations from the CDC, guidance from the Little League International, and space limitations in both the concession stand and the concession ordering area, the Board of Directors has decided to keep the concession stand closed during both the Spring and Summer season. As a result, we will not be offering “Concessions” as a volunteer opportunity for fulfilling your requirement.
Therefore, the Board of Directors have made the following changes/additions to the volunteer program, and these options will now be available for those who need to meet the 4-hour per child volunteer requirement:
1) Field Maintenance Days: As in years past we will be offering 2 preseason Field Maintenance Days (April 3 and 10). Each session is 4 hours, fulfilling the requirement for a single child. The day will entail prepping the field(s) for the season, hanging sponsor banners on the fences, placing PPE at every field, etc.
2) Team Parent: Historically we have offered 1 Team Parent opportunity per team. This year, with the increased need to monitor players, distancing, masks, etc. we are expanding to 2 opportunities per team. Team parents are responsible for establishing communication lines with all team parents, arranging/coordinating team trophies/treats, (Minors/Majors/Juniors) coordinating scoreboard operation, coordinating team picture day (this season at Butler with a date TBD), as well as monitoring players (distancing, masks, etc.) at each game. This role is critical to a smooth season!
3) Team Manager/Coach: Each team has 1 Manager opportunity and 2 Coach opportunities. We need coaches! Prior experience is not required as training will be offered. Rather this is an opportunity to make a positive impact on a child’s life and assist in fueling their love for the game.
4) Field Marshall: This role is new to Libertyville Little League for the 2021 season. Similar to the Team Parent role in monitoring player adherence to COVID-19 mitigations, the Field Marshalls (2 per morning roles and 2 afternoon roles) will serve in a 4-hour capacity on either a Saturday or Sunday, walking Butler Lake Park, ensuring all spectators/parents/teams/batting cage occupants are also adhering to outlined COVID-19 mitigations. Additionally, Field Marshalls will monitor PPE levels at each field (hand sanitizer, wipes, etc.) replacing as necessary, along with ensuring the safe transition of teams between games. This is a critically important role this year to ensure we are doing everything possible to provide a safe environment for all LLL participants.
In the coming days, www.libertyvillebaseball.org will be updated with the Field Marshall and Field Maintenance opportunities outlined above. Registration can be secured by clicking “Volunteer Assignments” in the left-hand navigation. Those seeking to fill a Team Parent, Manager, or Coach role will need to contact their division director to receive an assignment for your respective team.
We thank you all for your understanding during this unique time. While it was a difficult decision to close concessions for the year, as a Board we felt it was the right call. We always put safety first, and could not be more excited to get the kids back on the field come April 17th!
Best Regards,
Message For Selected Team Parent Volunteer Assignments
Team Parents:
Let me be the first to "Thank You" for stepping into this critical role! The job of the Team Parent is to be a proactive liaison between the team manager, coaches, and parents. The end goal is to positively impact the youth of our program. As such, this is a big ask and I want to ensure all are aligned in what the role entails. Therefore, as a Team Parent you are required to attend 1 of 2 mandatory Team Parent learning sessions. These sessions will take place via Google Meet and will last between 20 and 30 minutes. Available sessions are as follows:
1) Thursday April 1st at 7pm https://meet.google.com/kvr-jnui-ufi
or
2) Tuesday April 6th at 7pm https://meet.google.com/yav-gkgx-rmi
No need to sign up. Just join the Google Meet on one of the days listed above and attendance will be taken during the session. I look forward to meeting all Team Parent's and kicking off the 2021 baseball season!
Best Regards,
Travis McGhee
Director of Volunteers
Libertyville Little League
LLL Board of Directors Message - COVID Rules of Play
As we approach the end of the regular registration period we wanted to remind all our families that we will be keeping registration open into March, however we have started to formulate the teams based on our Board projections. Managers and Coaches will be notified shortly, and teams will be formed in just a few weeks. Even though Punxsutawney Phil predicted 6 more weeks of winter, we are still scheduled for our Opening Day on April 17th! We look forward to seeing you all soon.
There have been a few inquiries as to specifics on the LLL approach to health and safety measures for this season as we continue to battle the spread of the COVID-19 virus. LLL previously emailed a note including some helpful links specific to sports and baseball guidelines from Governmental agencies, and would like to follow up on some specific rules for participation in the LLL 2021 season. These rules will be part of the team manager and coach training. As a 100% Volunteer organization we will give our best effort to enforce these rules throughout the season and we ask you all to pitch in to help adhere to these rules. While baseball is considered a low risk sport, we will make every effort to avoid exposure. We want parents to understand, while the risk of exposure is minimal, this is not a guarantee. We want LLL families to feel empowered to make the best decision for the health and safety of their family. We also must note that these rules may change at the Board’s Discretion at anytime if there is a need or as Agencies recommend.
LLL 2021 Season Rules of Play Amendments:
1. First and foremost: If you have any question about whether you may be positive (you have been in close contact with anyone who is positive, you are displaying signs of contagion such as fever, aches, etc.) please stay home and do not participate until you have followed Health Department or medical recommendations for safe return to play.
2. All Coaches, Umpires or other league officials shall wear a mask at all times.
3. For Divisions up to and including the AA Division:
a. Masks must be worn at all times by all players and coaches. We feel these age groups will be too difficult to maintain separation.
b. If there is a health related concern with wearing a mask, we will try to accommodate.
c. Players on offense will be placed as distanced as possible using both the “dugout” and the foul territory.
4. For Divisions AAA and older, masks must be worn at all times except when playing defense in the field and able to have proper social distance.
a. At this time, baseball best practices considers that the generally accepted “close contact duration” for transmission will not be reached during play in the field.
b. Masks are encouraged but not required in the field on defense.
c. Masks are required 100% on offense, both in play and in dugout.
d. Players not in play shall be wearing masks and properly separated either in dugouts or foul territory.
5. Coaches will be monitoring the mask use throughout the course of games and practices, and the Team Parent Responsibility will include helping follow these rules
6. The league will continue to provide essential baseball safety equipment such as helmets and catcher’s gear, and in addition will be providing sanitizer for each dugout, and will be provided to each coach.
7. Players will be recommended to use their own bats and gloves, which shall be stored in baseball bag (or other athletic type bag) when not in use. Please contact the League if you have concerns with purchasing a bat. Our website has the current bat guidelines and suggested sizes.
8. Each team will use their own set of balls provided to each coach.
It should be noted, these are to be considered minimum actions. The Board recommends and supports wearing masks 100% during participation.
The LLL Board takes safety very seriously, and we welcome suggestions or volunteerism to help make this 2021 LLL Season safe, healthy, and FUN!!!
How To Buy A Baseball Bat
Click here for pro-tips on how to buy a baseball bat from our sponsor, Dick's Sporting Goods.
2021 Spring and Summer League Registration
Online registration for 2021 Libertyville Little League spring and summer seasons opens on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
Online registration for spring league will remain open through February 15, 2021. This season there will be no early bird discount/late fee.
Summer league registration will remain open through May 31, 2021. See the summer league registration fees below:
Summer league registration fees:
Register on or before 2/15/2012 - $70 per/player
Register between 2/16/2021 - 5/31/2021 - $85 per/player
Registration on or after 6/1/2021 is based on availablity and the fee is $100 per/player.
Notification for spring league team assignments to be published the week of March 29, 2021. Summer league team assignments will be available the week of June 28, 2021.
Opening day for the spring season is scheduled for Saturday, April 17, 2021.
January 2021 | Note from the LLL President, Bill Bennett
Greetings from the Libertyville Little League HQ at Butler Lake Park! With the end of the year behind us, we look for a positive light this coming Spring! Get ready to experience the smell of the fresh cut grass and the crisp white lines of the fields with the flags blowing in the breeze! Yes, soon it will be time to get outside and PLAY BALL! We are anxious to see everyone out at Butler Park this Spring and Summer!
Around this time in 2014 I shared these words with our community:
“This season, just like every season, we will be trying new things to make our program more fun and fulfilling for our community,”
Well that is certainly true this year! Please take a few minutes to visit our website, see our safe and effective approach to community health, and register your players for the upcoming season. I encourage you to take a moment to read the objectives of our program. We take great pride in offering an affordable and wholesome program to all our community members, and we will always welcome your supporting words or your suggestions for improvement. We would welcome anyone interested to get involved in whatever capacity you have a passion for! If you have any questions/comments, I (or any of our Board Members) are always here for you.
Little League Baseball provides us all an excellent opportunity to teach far more than pitching, hitting, and fielding. When we as adults put the best interests of the children first, then our youth will learn positive lessons, and, most importantly, have FUN!!!
The Board is very confident that our 2021 Little League Baseball season will be safe, meaningful, and enjoyable for the whole family!
As a product of this program, it is an honor and privilege to serve as President to continue on the fine tradition at Butler Park, and I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity, especially this year as we focus on health and returning to our vibrant community fellowship!
I look forward to a great season and many more to come … see you all out there at the World Class Butler Lake Park Little League Complex!
Bill Bennett, President
Libertyville Little League
Libertyville Little League 2021 Outlook Is Favorable
The Libertyville Little League (LLL) Board of Directors would like to wish a happy and healthy 2021 to everyone. We had some tough decisions to make last season, but we have learned quite a bit about providing an organized and safe youth baseball program for our community. For 75 years the LLL Board has been entrusted with providing a program where safety is absolute #1 priority, and continues to be committed to the safety of our community. The Board has a very favorable outlook in providing a safe, high-quality experience this 2021 season.
When proper protocols are followed, officials including local and state government health agencies deem baseball to be a low risk sport (see IDPH information here: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/sports-safety-guidance) The CDC has assembled some simple guidelines to follow to minimize potential transmission of the COVID 19 virus which LLL will institute and modify as needed. (CDC Link: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html ) As a Chartered Program in Little League International for 75 years, we have a tremendous amount of support and resources from the largest youth sports organization in the world!
In addition, our LLL facility at Butler Lake Park provides us the ability to schedule games in a manner that will ensure proper social distancing for both players and fans. The Board is focused on providing a full regular season with several operational and schedule enhancements to allow game play and off- field traffic to be a safe and enjoyable experience. Please visit our website for more info on our approach to game schedule and ensuring proper social distancing.
Please register now for the LLL spring and summer sessions! We will be watching registration closely to prepare the age Division teams and schedules in Mid-February. We look forward to seeing our children out playing baseball in the 2021 LLL Season.
For additional information:
Little League International COVID guidelines
Little League International FAQs
Butler Park separation and parking plan
T-Mobile: Helping Cover Registration Fees For Families In Need
The T-Mobile Little League® Call Up Grant Program is dedicated to helping families in need by covering registration fees associated with their local Little League program. T-Mobile and Little League share the belief that every child should have the chance to experience Little League, regardless of their financial or personal situation.
For more information, visit LittleLeague.org/CallUpGrant
