Here are a recap of the picnic and a few important notes as we wrap up the season:  

Join the board

The BLL Board has welcomed a few new members in the last couple of months, thank you to those new members. But we still have a few positions remaining. Giving back to BLL is a rewarding and *fun* experience. Our all-volunteer board has more than 23 people to help spread the work out among all the busy parents. Positions that need filling include: social media manager, volunteer coordinator, softball player agent, special events coordinator and online apparel store manager. For a full description of the openings, visit our volunteer web page.

A huge thank you to outgoing Board President Benjamin Jones, who has served in this leadership role for the last four years, and has volunteered on the board for a total of seven years! We are all so glad he is going to continue serving the BLL community as a board member.

Summer ball

Summer Ball registration is open! Although registration is open until the end of June, it really helps us plan if players register early, so if your player wants to play, please sign up soon. Summer ball is two games a week, no practices and no weekends. Just a lot of fun! Remember to register for the division you will likely play during next season.  Registration is $50. Register here.  

To learn more about our summer baseball and softball program, visit our Summer League page.

Fall Baseball and Softball Training 

BLL is currently working on a plan to offer sandlot style fall training in September, October and part of November. While the plans are still coming together, they are likely to include: infield and outfield for baseball and softball, hitting for baseball and softball and also pitching clinics, run by baseball and softball pitchers. These casual fall training opportunities will be on a local turf field and will be open to roughly 25 players per session. More details will emerge in the next few months.

Photo Issues 

BLL is aware of a few issues with this year’s team and individual photos. We are notifying our photo vendor of the problems. If your photos did not arrive or if there is a typo with the name  please contact Brian Thompson. His email is [email protected] to request a reprint or a refund. BLL will be working with a different photo company next season. 

If you still need to pick up your photos, contact BLL Board Member Shana Jackson at [email protected] and she can arrange another pick up date. For Tee Ball, please contact your coach.

Recap of Season

To recap the year, here are some fun season facts and a list of our sportsmanship winners, inspiring player awards and divisional champions.

Fun facts: 

• BLL had 37 teams and 32 Sponsors this year 
• We hosted 460 players (340 baseball; 110 softball)
• Baseball had 28 teams
• Softball had 9 teams 
• Softball has grown 57% in 4 years

• Appreciated the help of 189 volunteers
• Held 728 practices 
• Hosted 342 games
• Handed out 490 uniforms
• Used 486 softballs
• Used 1235 baseballs
• Used 920 wiffle balls
• Had umpires cover 183 game slots
• Welcomed 17 junior umpires 

Baseball Divisional Champions

• AA: Napoleon Company. Coaches Tony Magnano, Jimmy Nichols, Trent Gabel
• AAA: Jackson Design Build. Coaches Jason Puckett, Bret Helton, Nathan Garnett, Doug Agurkis Majors: Ballard Nordics. Coaches Tim Lassige & John Hartsfield

Baseball Sportsmanship Winners

• AA:  Luna’s Landing. Coaches William Newmark, Isaac Osborn, and Sean Reid.
• AAA: Staton Law. Coaches Dan Ramirez, Chris Fennimore, Shaun Barry, Craig Motlong, Brian Dodgson, Aiden DePaula
• Majors: Limback Lumber: Coaches Steve Dorman, Greg Barrett and John Hunt. 

We hope your players learned a lot, had fun, and we hope to see you back next season!

Your volunteer Ballard Little League Board:

Benjamin Jones, President

Shana Jackson, Treasurer

Anna-Liisa Little, Secretary

Lesley Rogers Krokower, Communications

Jody Reich, Registrar (and incoming Registrar Katie Hambley)

Dave Trop, Umpire in Chief

Dan Ramirez, VP Baseball (Majors)

Steve Dorman, VP Baseball (AAA)

Tony Magnano, VP Baseball (AA)

Jim Martel, VP Baseball (A)

April Oelwein, VP (Tee Ball)

Sarah Blohm, Co-VP (Softball)

Sara Adelman, Co-VP (Softball)

Mary Ramirez, Uniform Manager

Lafcadio Darling, Summer League

Keely Gleason, Safety Officer

Elissa Knight, Equipment Manager

Mike Pomfret, Sponsor Liaison

Kris Larson, Player & Coach Development

John Brandt, BLL Field Scheduler

Rick Steed, Field Maintenance

Aaron Volosin, Umpire Scheduler

Vanessa Knudson, Trophy Coordinator

Follow us on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/ballardlittleleague

Follow us on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/ballardlittleleague/