Libertyville Little League Families,

On behalf of the LLL Board of Directors I hope you are all healthy and staying positive.  We would also like to thank you for your diligence and patience during this remarkable time in history.  I often say that our program has very little to do with baseball skills, and so very much to do with life skills. Having perseverance is one of those life skills that baseball teaches often and quite well and now more than ever that perseverance is being put to the test.  

Since our last communication, the Board has continued to explore options for potential program offerings on a parallel path with planning for cancellation of the season and what our refund policy should be.  We have been paying close attention to city, state, and federal guidelines regarding large gatherings and youth sports and meeting regularly as a full Board.  Unfortunately, we have come to believe that a 2020 Little League season at this point is simply not feasible.  The Board has unanimously, albeit begrudgingly, voted to cancel  both the regular season of our 2020 Little League program as well as our Summer League program.  

When we examine our refund policy, we must consider that we are the stewards of the exceptional baseball complex at Butler Park and it is important to note that we do not receive any financial support from the Village of Libertyville.  Just over 10 years ago the Board revised the registration fee structure to include a per family facilities fee of $35.  This fee was established to help with our overall stewardship of the facilities and required capital expenses.  Over the past decade the fiscal responsibility of the Board has been exemplary, and our facilities are in excellent shape, but of course need continued care.  In order to keep our fields in superb shape for years to come we will have some basic maintenance and operating costs in 2020.  For this reason, the Board has decided to refund the entire registration fees with the exception of the facility fee.  We hope you can understand that it will be a tremendous help to keep the complex groomed, clean, and safe while we have this suspension of activities, however it will not cover our basic costs.  If you are so inclined, families can provide additional support for the program by choosing to donate a portion of your refund back to LLL. Please follow this link http://assn.la/UserForm.asp?RegID=282506&org=libertyvillebaseball.org to a simple form where you may choose your full refund less facility fee, or indicate a designated amount to be donated back to LLL.  Please note due to limitations with our web-based online registration we unfortunately do not have the option to “carry over” or credit the amounts paid towards next season’s registration.

We do sincerely appreciate your support of the program.  This is a very hard decision made with heavy hearts, though we are still committed to looking at any and all possibilities for baseball learning and fun, some of which could be:

•  A late summer rally week with small group instruction, drills, and a session ending tournament
•  A late summer weekend of small group instruction ending in a Pitch, Hit, and Run contest
•  Or other, as allowed by our Governor’s phased re-opening plan

It only took my first t-ball game at Butler Park in 1976 and a hot dog after the game to know where I was going to be hanging out every summer for a long time!  I am very blessed to continue to be involved in this terrific program and I am humbled by the passion this Board has displayed during these last few months.  If there is something fun and safe to figure out - we will figure it out!  In the meantime, stay healthy and active, and we all look forward to seeing you at the park in the future!

Best,

Bill Bennett Libertyville Little League President