Players without borders
Youth baseball players in Redondo Beach scored with the recent approval by Little League Baseball’s governing body in Williamsport, Pa. allowing Redondo’s North, Central and South Little Leagues to merge as Redondo Beach Little League.
The unification eliminates boundaries within the city, allowing players who are school mates and neighbors to compete on the same teams. The decision will also help bolster the quality of all-star teams which could prove valuable for Jeff Baumback, the new head coach at Redondo Union High School who is attempting to resurrect the school’s baseball program.
“It (the merger) will enable children to play baseball with their school friends, no matter where they live in Redondo” John Petryshyn, President of the new RBLL, stated on the league’s website. “…sponsors now don’t have to pick and choose between leagues, and the combined resources will enable the dollars to go farther for the kids.”
Little League Baseball had previously denied Redondo’s request to unify the leagues because, with 65,000 residents, Redondo Beach was deemed too large to manage a single league.
But with a 13 percent decrease in player registration over the last three years and the success of Manhattan Beach Little League — which has nearly three times the enrollment than the combined Redondo Beach leagues — the approximately 600-player Redondo Beach Little League was finally given the nod.
Redondo Beach Little League will remain in District 36 where it will compete with other local leagues in all-star tournaments. Members from the three preceding leagues have formed a new board of directors.
Redondo Beach Little League offers co-ed baseball for players ages 4-14 and softball for girls ages 5-12. The new league will continue to utilize the fields at Anderson, Dominguez and Perry parks from the three preceding leagues.
On-line registration is available at www.redondolittleleague.com with a $25 early-bird discount if made by Dec. 31. Fees are $250 for Juniors (ages 13-14); $150 for Majors, AAA, AA (ages 8-12) and Single A (age 7); $125 for T-Ball (ages 4-6). Softball fees at $125 for 6U and $150 for 8U, 10U and 12U. A $20 family reduction is made for each additional child.
Tryouts will be held Saturday, Jan. 8 at Anderson and Dominguez Parks. Check the league’s website for tryout times and locations for each division. ER