A Message from our President
On The Field
In The Stands
Press Box
From The Dugout
Parents, Players and Families of Bloomingdale Little League:
As we wind down another exciting year, I would like to thank everyone for all of their help, encouragement and even constructive criticism. The input from the people we as a board serve is critical as we try and move forward to improve the playing experience for all of our children.
I believe we have had a terrific year. With the work of our facilities manager, Chuck Weaver, the park is beginning to return to form. We have spent numerous hours and dollars on the playing fields to insure quality fields for our kids to play on. We have replaced some batting cage nets, L-screens and rebuilt the practice pitching area. Part of this mission has been to lock some fields to the public. I know this is a point of contention for some people. We have done this with the cooperation of the county. Contrary to popular belief BLL is NOT a public facility. It is owned by Hillsborough County and Leased to BLL. We are responsible for 90% of the maintenance of the park. When the gates are open the public doesn’t take the care they should when the fields are used making all of our efforts in vain.
Our concessions are second to none. Our board concession director Lee Revis along with Ryan Popovich our concession Manager has done an amazing job. The menu is diverse and the stands are always well stocked. Their greatest challenge has been trying to operate when our parent volunteers do not show up for their shifts. Operating three concessions is quite a feat.
We implemented our own umpiring program this year, alleviating the pressure on parents to umpire games. We brought back many umpires who have worked our park in the past and put in a training program to teach our up and coming teens how to be LITTLE LEAGUE umpires. I am very proud of the work that Jeff Dobish and Adrian Capella have done to get this program off the ground. As long as there is baseball there will be umpire complaints. We should all strive, coaches, parents and umpires alike to have mutual respect for each other and the game. Is the system perfect? No. But I believe it is the best in our district.
Finally, I would like to thank my entire board of directors for their time, hard work and support. Without all of them none of this is possible. This is a very large program and it takes everyone’s cooperation to make it work. You do not have to be a board member to help out. If anyone would like to help with anything, uniforms, pictures, equipment etc. please let me know. Any help is appreciated.
Thank you all again, I promise I will continue to have an open door and an open ear, striving to make Bloomingdale Little League the best little league in the country.
Have a safe summer and I will see you around the park!
Kenny
Kenny Hawkins
President
Bloomingdale Little League
president@Bllfl.com
