Greetings from Kearney Little League’s Board of Directors!

As we pass the halfway point of the 2021 season, now is a good time to stop for a minute or two and reflect on things. 

By nearly every account, the youth baseball season is off to a GREAT start.  After missing an entire year of Little League, it is certainly nice to see and hear the kids back on the fields, enjoying our great national pastime.  It is also nice to see that while so many players missed an entire year of development, they are catching up quickly and their skills are improving.  Balls are being hit hard, and fielded well.  Batters are sometimes reaching base, and defenses are sometimes making great putouts, and, well… things seem more like the way they should be.

At this point of the season we want to take a brief moment to pass along some earnest and very important thanks:

• First, thank you PARENTS.  Practically speaking, Little League is an adult, volunteer work project constructed, supervised, and assisted by parents who want to extend the benefits of a great youth sports program to their children.

  From things as basic as getting the players to the park on time, properly dressed and equipped, and well hydrated, to helping run scoreboards and “keep book” (record the games in the official scorebooks), and of course to cheering loudly and with great sportsmanship, you are an important part of the entire Little League experience, and YOU ARE APPRECIATED!

• Second, thank you to the UMPIRES.  We have been so fortunate this year, as in the past, to have a knowledgeable crew of 24+ umpires who show up well dressed and on time, and engage in each game with sharp focus and clear responsibility.YOU, TOO, ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

• Third, thank you to the PLAYERS.Baseball is such a great game, and one of the things that makes it so great is that it is so hard.The great attitudes and strong efforts being shown by players in every practice and game make everyone proud – your parents, your coaches, our community, and really, the entire baseball world.Keep doing your best, and striving to win, and playing fair with great sportsmanship and respect for the game!

   

• Fourth, thank you to the PARKS CREWS.  The fact that we have so many diamonds in this town, and that they are all kept in such great shape, should not be overlooked or taken for granted.  We know there are a whole of lot of people who are up and outside very early each day maintaining the diamonds we are fortunate to play on.  We appreciate the Park & Rec staff very much!

   

• Finally, and really, most importantly, thank you to all of the VOLUNTEER MANAGERS AND COACHES.  The time and effort, and also the stress that sometimes comes with running a team, and teaching young players, and making sure the equipment is in good shape, and that there are enough baseballs for practice, and countless other aspects involved in the whole endeavor involves way more than most people probably realize.  Please know that YOU, ESPECIALLY, ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

To everyone involved, we hope you enjoy every moment you get to spend at the park, for the entire remainder of this season!

Sincerely,

The Kearney Little League Board of Directors