October 2011. Where do you begin? Timeline of Events Building Excitement Program Design Recruiting...

October 2011

• Where do you begin?

• Timeline of Events• Building Excitement• Program Design• Recruiting Players• Parent Meeting• Recruiting Buddies• Buddy Training • Opening Day

• Program Benefits

• Your Challenge

• Find a “Champion(s)”• One or small team that will drive success

• Goal: Get things rolling• VP of “Challenger” not necessary Year 1

• Board Approval• Share what you want to accomplish• Gain Support to move forward

• Start “Spreading the Word”• Little League Managers & Coaches

• Here is what we will be developing• Target timing: This year• Caveat to set expectations• More to Come….

• Anyone – “who will listen”

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

• KISS! (Keep It Simple)• Limit the number of games

• 6 Games is a good target for Year One

• Schedule Games where there are no conflicts• Sunday Afternoon is a great option

• No Practices!

• Limit the Games to two innings & two hours

• Treat players like players: • Full Uniform(name),Trophies & Snack

• Keep the cost low – Target: $0

• Be Flexible• “No boundaries” in taking players• Allow for buddies to team up

• Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

• Schools• Contact “Special Ed Coordinator”

• LL Database

• Churches

• State Agencies

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Primary1

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Secondary

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Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

•Tell them three things:• Who you are? • What Challenger is about• Tell them what you need from them

• Get a PARENT LIASION

• Have them fill out an information sheet

• Be Honest• You are going to get things wrong –

• Remember: You are baseball people!

• Tell them your goals and why you are doing it• Opportunity to Play• Right thing to do• We have the resources• Benefits Community• It’s a Life Lesson

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

• Buddies• Little League Players 11 & Up• Graduated Players• High Schools/Youth Groups• Brothers and Sisters

• Managers• Good organizational skills

• Rotate Players/Batting Order• Pair Players and Buddies

• Good Communication Skills• Game and rain out information

• Flexibility• Put someone you trust in the role!

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

1st Hr – Buddies• #1 Goal: Get them at ease!

• Define “Special Need”:• Message: A lot like you

• Set Expectations:• Be there/On time• Know your player• Bring a Glove• Encourage your Player• Let Player Succeed• Be Open/Confident• Arrange for Subs

• Don’t be Afraid to Ask

• Buddy Packages/Tee Shirts

1st Hr – Meet Your Buddy• Set Up Stations

• Catching, throwing, hitting• Buddies move to their teams

• Player Receives:• Uniform• Information Package

•Take player around to stations

• Be Flexible • “May seem like Organized Chaos”

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Make it a Big Deal• Dress the Field• National Anthem• Announcers/First Pitch• Umpires

Invite the Town• Fire & Police Departments• Village Officials• Special Ed Department• Little League Officials• Local Papers

Picnic Atmosphere• Hot Dogs, Chips, Soda• Bring Dessert• Raffles

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Insert Video of Opening Day

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

"What a wonderful event!! Everyone knows "Field of Dreams" well this is "Field of Heaven" for it is here that you can watch God's precious little angels play ball! To see the smiles of the children and the cheers from the parents it is truly a "Field of

Heaven”... I thank all of you, the organizers and the hundreds of volunteers from my heart!”

"What a fun day for everyone--lots of smiles and tears of joy allaround! This was not just a Sandlot game--it was a "real" game

with uniforms, an announcer, and of course concessions!  

"Thank you Tri-Cities Little League! … This is the only way it would be possible for my daughter to participate

in her favorite sport."

Player• Acceptance • Team • Friendships • Opportunity

League• Revitalization• Completeness

“Spirit of Little League Baseball”

Parents • Inclusion• Support • Time Off• Opportunity

Buddies• Tolerance• Teaching • Laughter• Commitment• “Life’s Lessons”

WIN

WINWIN

WIN

People Counts

Players 75

Buddies 125

Parents 200 sets

GrandparentsBrothers Sisters

Lots

Village Officials 20

Opening Day Counts

Hot Dogs 700

Soda 25 Cases

Chips 500 Bags

• Start a Program• If you have a program, add a new one• If you don’t have a program, start one

• Leave a Legacy

• Make Illinois #1 in US

• www.challengerillinois.com

• Mark Johnson• mj1234@att.com