All, I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! I know 2020 is being a rough year, but, it seems as if we are coming out of it with the pending distribution of a vaccine for COVID. That being said, the goal of EVERY League should be to become a true service to their communities, friends, families of the players, and all involved to get Little League restarted for 2021! By getting Little League going in your town, or part of town as the case may be means that you can start reconstructing the social fabric of your community that COVID has tried to break down. The relationships and activities that the players enjoy while playing baseball are so important. You can make that happen. Best guesses are that vaccines will be flowing in the early part of 2021 and that states will begin lifting restrictions as the efficacy of the vaccines are realized. That's when you all can start playing again. Right now, there is no plan to really change the 2021 Tournament cycle (at least no formal announcements have been made) which means that LL International is hoping things will be somewhat "normal" for the regular season. Some leagues in our area never really stopped playing (Idaho for example had at least somewhat of a season) as did a couple other of the western states.. Now it's our turn to figure out a way and let the kids play. I also have spoken with a Rep of the Mariners organization and they are planning to have Little League days again next year. The details are not known right now, but expect more on that to be made public soon. If you all are not familiar with the LL program at the Mariners, they have a few days set aside each season with special pricing for LL players and families, a field parade where leagues can all come down and march around a REAL MLB field, and there are usually some special goodies that are included for the LL players who come to the event. I'll post more of that as I know. I'd like to get a call together for all the Boards and Presidents in January to see how plans for the 2021 season are coming and see if we can figure out what challenges we can work on together. I know some of you have taken this year to work on fields, discuss boundaries, and do other things to build up your leagues, but now is the time to get playing.So expect something set up for the first 10 days of January for all your board members and all leagues to be on a call to discuss 2021. Some of you have started the chartering process for 2021.!! That's a great sign. I like the optimism. We still have the option of hosting the State Tournament for Majors. which is a big deal. I'd like to do it. If your league is interested, let me know. Now would be a good time to get your charters done, get your safety plans in, and get ready for 2021. All the Leagues should have had their elections by now and have the Data Center loaded with any new Board Members and their contact info. MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THEIR DIRECT CONTACT INFO IN THE Data Center I'll reactivate the District phone number (509-288-0141) I turn it off in Nov/Dec to save on costs for the District. But it will come back on after Christmas. You can still reach me at jarel@jpiworldwide.com <mailto:jarel@jpiworldwide.com> and jarel@rodeotv.net <mailto:jarel@rodeotv.net> - If you have an emergency or urgent question you can always contact me at my office - 509-210-3032 - Regards JP District Administrator
