There is so much information and ways to follow the 2009 Little League Softball World Series, both here in Portland or online around the world, that I thought I would provide some tips:
Some General Info
The ten teams are divided into two pools; pool play begins today and continues through Monday. Each team will play the others one time with a bye day thrown in...
All the teams are mixed together, unlike the LL Baseball WS where there is an international winner and a U.S. winner.
At the end of pool play, the top two teams will play in the semifinals on ESPN2 on Tuesday.
Complete schedules and bracket info can be found here.
Following Online
The volunteer staff is able to televise only the games taking place on the main field at Alpenrose. You can watch FOR FREE via webcast. Go to the Brackets page and click on the game you are interested in. A screen will pop up: click on "Video Webcast."
You can also follow LIVE SCORING. What is that? Real-time scoring -- all the games use electronic scorebooks that are uploaded to the website. Here is the page for Game 1, East vs. Latin America: http://www.softballworldseries.com/photos2009/photos01.htm As each game is played, you can watch the webcast and/or the live scoring. Pictures will be taken during the game and posted on that page, also.
Twitter and/or Textmark
I will do my best to provide updates via text if you sign up for either Twitter or Textmarks. I Tweeted from a Regional Babe Ruth tournament last week and the hometown parents were very grateful, so I am getting the hang of it :)
Sign up for either on the right-hand column of this blog. Twitter will be updated more often and is very simple to use. I will continue to update both, but am starting to prefer Twitter.
In-Person
If you are in the area, and can make time to visit Alpenrose this week, you will not be disappointed... The all-volunteer crew does an amazing job!
The event is (always!) free of charge. The site is very family friendly and the games filled with competition and music and fans from all over the world. This Saturday you can enjoy the Schutt Skills Competition, Home Run Derby and Challenger game.
As we get closer to the championship, you can view a working ESPN broadcast, "up-close and personal," which is both educational and fun.
A barbeque is always going with better-than average choices and of course, lots of Baskin-Robbins ice cream, which is produced by Alpenrose Dairy in our area. Oh yeah, it is a working dairy (and smells like it, too, on some days :) and there is a bicycle velodrome and midget-car track.
Alpenrose is located on SW Shattuck Road, between SW Vermont and SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.
Come on down, it is a week-long celebration of softball, sportsmanship, culture, and kids.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday Morning Links
Featuring the Central Team (Croswell-Lexington LL, Croswell, Michigan):
"Pioneers eager to play:
Ceremonies kick off World Series"
"Every Competitor Has a Story"
"Former Player Pulling for Little Leaguers"
Featuring Southwest (Crawford LL, Crawford, Texas):
Crawford Little League Softball Ready for World Series
Featuring West (Nunaka Valley LL, Anchorage, Alaska):
"Nunaka Valley Team is at World Series"
Featuring Southeast (Warner Robins American LL, Warner Robins, Georgia)
"WR Girls Begin Play Thursday in World Series"
"Warner Robins Softball Team Ready to Go"
Featuring East (West Point LL, Greensburg, Pennsylvania)
"West Point's Experience Goes Beyond Softball"
And from Portland area media:
"Softball World Series: Host Family Program a Hit--Now and Later"
"Ready to Rock at the Little League World Series"
"Pioneers eager to play:
Ceremonies kick off World Series"
"Every Competitor Has a Story"
"Former Player Pulling for Little Leaguers"
Featuring Southwest (Crawford LL, Crawford, Texas):
Crawford Little League Softball Ready for World Series
Featuring West (Nunaka Valley LL, Anchorage, Alaska):
"Nunaka Valley Team is at World Series"
Featuring Southeast (Warner Robins American LL, Warner Robins, Georgia)
"WR Girls Begin Play Thursday in World Series"
"Warner Robins Softball Team Ready to Go"
Featuring East (West Point LL, Greensburg, Pennsylvania)
"West Point's Experience Goes Beyond Softball"
And from Portland area media:
"Softball World Series: Host Family Program a Hit--Now and Later"
"Ready to Rock at the Little League World Series"
Seen At Alpenrose
Some last-minute field prep, exchanging autographs, and showing off their new Schutt helmets:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday Morning Links
Wednesday's links to coverage of the Little League Softball World Series:
"Beaverton Girls Host Softball Little League World Series"
"Softball World Series Comes to Portland..."
"Guam Little League Girls Softball Team Ready to Take the Field in Mainland"
"Pioneers Face Far Away Foes" (Central Team: Croswell-Lexington LL, Michigan)
"Crawford Fans Show Little League Still Strong"
"Beaverton Girls Host Softball Little League World Series"
"Softball World Series Comes to Portland..."
"Guam Little League Girls Softball Team Ready to Take the Field in Mainland"
"Pioneers Face Far Away Foes" (Central Team: Croswell-Lexington LL, Michigan)
"Crawford Fans Show Little League Still Strong"
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Olympic and Youth Softball: Thursday's the Day
Coincidence or fate?
On Thursday, the 2009 Little League Softball World Series will begin in Portland, Oregon.
Also on Thursday, the fate of softball for the 2016 Olympic Games will likely be decided in Berlin at a meeting of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee.
From the USA Softball website:
The list of seven sports up for consideration to be included in the 2016 Games will be narrowed down to two. Competing with softball for inclusion in the Games are baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby and squash. The IOC's rule-making body will shortlist two finalists during the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. executive board session at the Intercontinental Hotel in Berlin on Thursday. Those sports will then be put forward by the 15-member Executive Board to a vote by members of the IOC on October 9.
Before the opening pitch is thrown in East (West Point LL, Greensburg, Pennsylvania) vs. Latin America (Soraida Juliana LL Willemstad, Curacao), and friendly competition has begun in their beloved sport, a group will decide if there will be Olympic Softball when they are at their prime playing age seven years from now.
You can help support this vibrant and vital sport:
**go to Back Softball and read about the efforts to bring Olympic Softball back for the 2016 Summer Games; join their Facebook group and check out the USA Softball website, also.
**visit and support the Little League Softball World Series -- show the world your love of softball and send a message of its importance in your life and your daughter's life
**email your support to ESPN and media outlets that cover softball
And finally, we are so lucky to have Michele Smith, the Chair of the BackSoftball Athlete Ambassadors lobbying campaign, at Alpenrose to provide commentary for the three ESPN2 broadcasts. Enjoy those games live, the atmosphere, and maybe tell Michele in person THANKS for her actions and efforts for the future of the sport and the future of our girls.
On Thursday, the 2009 Little League Softball World Series will begin in Portland, Oregon.
Also on Thursday, the fate of softball for the 2016 Olympic Games will likely be decided in Berlin at a meeting of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee.
From the USA Softball website:
The list of seven sports up for consideration to be included in the 2016 Games will be narrowed down to two. Competing with softball for inclusion in the Games are baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby and squash. The IOC's rule-making body will shortlist two finalists during the 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. executive board session at the Intercontinental Hotel in Berlin on Thursday. Those sports will then be put forward by the 15-member Executive Board to a vote by members of the IOC on October 9.
Before the opening pitch is thrown in East (West Point LL, Greensburg, Pennsylvania) vs. Latin America (Soraida Juliana LL Willemstad, Curacao), and friendly competition has begun in their beloved sport, a group will decide if there will be Olympic Softball when they are at their prime playing age seven years from now.
You can help support this vibrant and vital sport:
**go to Back Softball and read about the efforts to bring Olympic Softball back for the 2016 Summer Games; join their Facebook group and check out the USA Softball website, also.
**visit and support the Little League Softball World Series -- show the world your love of softball and send a message of its importance in your life and your daughter's life
**email your support to ESPN and media outlets that cover softball
And finally, we are so lucky to have Michele Smith, the Chair of the BackSoftball Athlete Ambassadors lobbying campaign, at Alpenrose to provide commentary for the three ESPN2 broadcasts. Enjoy those games live, the atmosphere, and maybe tell Michele in person THANKS for her actions and efforts for the future of the sport and the future of our girls.
Getting Situated
Today is a travel, arrival, limo, check-up, photos, "meet your new parents," and uniforms kinda day...
In other words, the girls got situated today :)
The teams fly in from all over the world and are brought to Alpenrose via limo, with vans following carrying all their luggage. They are photographed when they arrive and then they complete their bios, get their uniforms, meet their host families, get checked for swine flu, and gaze upon the playing field and stadium where the Opening Ceremonies will take place (tomorrow) and the games begin (Thursday).
Each team goes from their league name to their Region name, and receive their uniforms and the official photo is taken (you can see the transformation of the Georgia team, for example, here and all of the teams here).
The players will meet their host families and spend their first night in Portland. The managers and coaches will go to the hotel and everyone will head back up to Alpenrose for tomorrow's festivities:
3pm: Opening Ceremony/Main Field
4pm: Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Social/Dairyville (Teams)
4:30pm: DeMarini Skills Challenge/Main Field
See you there :)
In other words, the girls got situated today :)
The teams fly in from all over the world and are brought to Alpenrose via limo, with vans following carrying all their luggage. They are photographed when they arrive and then they complete their bios, get their uniforms, meet their host families, get checked for swine flu, and gaze upon the playing field and stadium where the Opening Ceremonies will take place (tomorrow) and the games begin (Thursday).
Each team goes from their league name to their Region name, and receive their uniforms and the official photo is taken (you can see the transformation of the Georgia team, for example, here and all of the teams here).
The players will meet their host families and spend their first night in Portland. The managers and coaches will go to the hotel and everyone will head back up to Alpenrose for tomorrow's festivities:
3pm: Opening Ceremony/Main Field
4pm: Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Social/Dairyville (Teams)
4:30pm: DeMarini Skills Challenge/Main Field
See you there :)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Brackets Are Complete -- Welcome, Ontario
The final ticket has been punched!
Team Canada for the 2009 Little League Softball World Series is Windsor South Canadians LL, Windsor, Ontario.
Congrats, and safe travels to Portland!
Team Canada for the 2009 Little League Softball World Series is Windsor South Canadians LL, Windsor, Ontario.
Congrats, and safe travels to Portland!
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Alaska, Welcome to the Tourney!
With today's 8-1 win over perennial powerhouse Gilroy, California, team Alaska (Nunaka Valley LL, Anchorage) becomes the West representative in the 2009 Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon!
A representative from Canada is also being determined today: British Columbia vs. Ontario.
And then the brackets will be complete. For a complete schedule, visit the official website.
A representative from Canada is also being determined today: British Columbia vs. Ontario.
And then the brackets will be complete. For a complete schedule, visit the official website.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Welcome Greensburg, PA and Crawford, TX !
Two more teams have been crowned champion of their region and will make their way to Portland, Oregon, for the 2009 Little League Softball World Series!
East Region Winner, representing Pennsylvania:
West Point LL, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
West Point defeated Milford International LL, Milford, Connecticut, 6-3 in Albany, New York.
Southwest Region Winner, representing Texas West:
Crawford LL, Crawford, Texas
Crawford defeated Edna LL, of Edna, Texas today 9-4 in Waco.
Congrats and we will see you in a couple of days!
East Region Winner, representing Pennsylvania:
West Point LL, Greensburg, Pennsylvania
West Point defeated Milford International LL, Milford, Connecticut, 6-3 in Albany, New York.
Southwest Region Winner, representing Texas West:
Crawford LL, Crawford, Texas
Crawford defeated Edna LL, of Edna, Texas today 9-4 in Waco.
Congrats and we will see you in a couple of days!
Friday, August 07, 2009
Michigan is in!
The Central region will be represented by Croswell Lexington LL, Croswell, Michigan, in the 2009 Little League Softball World Series!
Michigan defeated Ohio (Wheelersburg LL, Wheelersburg) 3-2 to advance.
The Central region has been represented well by Michigan in recent years: Mattawan in 2006 and Gladstone in 2007.
Welcome, Croswell-Lexington Little League!
Michigan defeated Ohio (Wheelersburg LL, Wheelersburg) 3-2 to advance.
The Central region has been represented well by Michigan in recent years: Mattawan in 2006 and Gladstone in 2007.
Welcome, Croswell-Lexington Little League!
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Welcome, Georgia!
The 2009 Little League Softball World Series has its first U.S. region winner: Warner Robins American Little League of Warner Robins, Georgia! They will represent the Southeast Region in the LLSBWS, which begins August 13 in Portland, Oregon.
Georgia beat Florida (Windermere LL, Windermere) 9-8 last night in West Virginia.
Warner Robins begins play Thursday, August 18, versus West at 5pm PDT.
Here are some great shots from their local paper.
Congrats to the players and coaches from Warner Robins, Georgia!
Georgia beat Florida (Windermere LL, Windermere) 9-8 last night in West Virginia.
Warner Robins begins play Thursday, August 18, versus West at 5pm PDT.
Here are some great shots from their local paper.
Congrats to the players and coaches from Warner Robins, Georgia!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Lots of LLSB Regional Action
Press coverage of Little League Softball U.S. Regional tournaments taking place:
- Southeast Regional
- Antioch Little League at the Central Region Tournament
- Central Regional in Carthage, MO
- Enterprise Little League at the Western Regional
- Gilroy (CA) Returns to Western Regional
And the Central Region teams are now set:
Michigan
Croswell Lexington LL, Croswell
Illinois
Antioch LL, Antioch
Nebraska
Keystone LL, Omaha
Iowa
Boone National LL, Boone
Host
Seneca LLSeneca, Missouri
N/S Dakota
Canyon Lake LL, Rapid City, South Dakota
Kansas
Girard LL, Girard
Missouri
Perryville LL, Perryville
Wisconsin
Appleton LL, Appleton
Indiana
Riverfield LL, Anderson
Minnesota
Itasca LL, Grand Rapids
Ohio
Wheelersburg LL, Wheelersburg
Kentucky
South London LL LondonThursday, July 30, 2009
A Post for the Umpires :)
The unsung heroes of the Little League volunteer corps necessary to run a first-class tournament most certainly are the umpires. Did you know that the umpires for the various Little League World Series pay their own way?
Here is a great article about umps really earning some mileage miles this summer:
Umps Go Out of Their Way to Make the Call
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — You can’t take a step at any Little League game without running into legions of volunteers — coaches, officials, scorekeepers, groundskeepers, etc.
But umpires Jack Ruscoe of Salem, Ore., and Joey Broxmeyer of Rialto, Calif., are giving much more than their time to Little League Softball’s European Regionals.
(click on link to keep reading)
Here is a great article about umps really earning some mileage miles this summer:
Umps Go Out of Their Way to Make the Call
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — You can’t take a step at any Little League game without running into legions of volunteers — coaches, officials, scorekeepers, groundskeepers, etc.
But umpires Jack Ruscoe of Salem, Ore., and Joey Broxmeyer of Rialto, Calif., are giving much more than their time to Little League Softball’s European Regionals.
(click on link to keep reading)
Parades + SW and West Regionals
As Regional tournaments kick off around the country, Little League Softball is celebrated and the girls have fun AND play softball:
Southeast Regional Opening Ceremonies
"South Portland (Maine) Softball Team off to N.Y."
The Southwest Regional line-up is set; the tournament begins this weekend in Waco, Texas:
Texas East
Edna LL, Edna
Colorado
Grand Mesa LL, Grand Junction
Texas West
Crawford LL, Crawford
Louisiana
Jackson Parish LL, Jackson Parish
New Mexico
Silver City LL, Silver City
Arkansas
Bearden LL, Bearden
The West Regional begins Saturday in Vancouver, Washington:
Alaska
Nunaka Valley LL, Anchorage
Arizona
San Tan Softball LL, Mesa
Utah
Enterprise LL, Enterprise
Washington
Bellevue Thunderbird LL, Bellevue
Northern California
Gilroy LL, Gilroy
Idaho
Lewiston LL, Lewiston
Oregon
Klamath Falls LL, Klamath Falls
Montana
Boulder Arrowhead/Big Sky LL, Billings
Southern California
Burbank LL, Burbank
Host
Columbia LL, Vancouver, Washington
Safe travels and good luck!
Southeast Regional Opening Ceremonies
"South Portland (Maine) Softball Team off to N.Y."
The Southwest Regional line-up is set; the tournament begins this weekend in Waco, Texas:
Texas East
Edna LL, Edna
Colorado
Grand Mesa LL, Grand Junction
Texas West
Crawford LL, Crawford
Louisiana
Jackson Parish LL, Jackson Parish
New Mexico
Silver City LL, Silver City
Arkansas
Bearden LL, Bearden
The West Regional begins Saturday in Vancouver, Washington:
Alaska
Nunaka Valley LL, Anchorage
Arizona
San Tan Softball LL, Mesa
Utah
Enterprise LL, Enterprise
Washington
Bellevue Thunderbird LL, Bellevue
Northern California
Gilroy LL, Gilroy
Idaho
Lewiston LL, Lewiston
Oregon
Klamath Falls LL, Klamath Falls
Montana
Boulder Arrowhead/Big Sky LL, Billings
Southern California
Burbank LL, Burbank
Host
Columbia LL, Vancouver, Washington
Safe travels and good luck!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
LLSB Southeast Regional Kicks Off
Each week, Little League Softball teams are winning their state tournaments and advancing to their Regional -- this is an exciting time!
The Southeast Regional tournament, in Ceredo-Kenova, West Virginia, begins tomorrow with South Carolina vs. Tennessee. Formerly known as the South representative, this tournament has produced three of the last four Softball World Series champions!
The following state champions will compete to represent the Southeast in the 2009 Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon:
Alabama
Phenix City Fastpitch LL, Phenix City
Florida
Windermere LL, Windermere
Georgia
Warner Robins American LL, Warner Robins
North Carolina
Canton LL, Canton
South Carolina
Blue Ridge/Northwest/Wade Hampton LL, Greer
Tennessee
Clarksville Northwest LL, Clarksville
Virginia
McLean LL, McLean
(2005 World Champs)
West Virginia
Wayne LL, Wayne
The Southeast Regional is in the news!
Congrats and good luck!
The Southeast Regional tournament, in Ceredo-Kenova, West Virginia, begins tomorrow with South Carolina vs. Tennessee. Formerly known as the South representative, this tournament has produced three of the last four Softball World Series champions!
The following state champions will compete to represent the Southeast in the 2009 Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon:
Alabama
Phenix City Fastpitch LL, Phenix City
Florida
Windermere LL, Windermere
Georgia
Warner Robins American LL, Warner Robins
North Carolina
Canton LL, Canton
South Carolina
Blue Ridge/Northwest/Wade Hampton LL, Greer
Tennessee
Clarksville Northwest LL, Clarksville
Virginia
McLean LL, McLean
(2005 World Champs)
West Virginia
Wayne LL, Wayne
The Southeast Regional is in the news!
Congrats and good luck!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
2009 LLSBWS Host Team: Beaverton Area LL!
The Oregon District 4 LL Softball champion was crowned last night and receives an automatic berth to the 2009 Little League Softball World Series as the host team. Beaverton Area LL, with local players from BALL, Murrayhill LL, and Tualatin City LL, beat Tigard LL last evening 5-3 at Alpenrose main.
Oregon D4 will begin World Series action on Thursday, August 13 versus Southwest at Alpenrose!
Oregon D4 will begin World Series action on Thursday, August 13 versus Southwest at Alpenrose!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Here They Come!
All around the world, Little League Softball tournaments are being played and teams are hitting and pitching and fielding their way to Portland, Oregon, for the LLSB World Series!
Several teams have already won their regional tournaments and ready to fly here next month:
Representing Latin America:
Soraida Juliana LL, Willemstad, Curacao NA
Representing Asia Pacific:
Guam LL, Guam
Representing EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa):
Lombardia LL, Milano, Italy
And away we go! The heat of the summer brings out the best in our softball players -- good luck and enjoy the ride. Hope to see you in Portland and we'll be following all of the news starting NOW! :)
Several teams have already won their regional tournaments and ready to fly here next month:
Representing Latin America:
Soraida Juliana LL, Willemstad, Curacao NA
Representing Asia Pacific:
Guam LL, Guam
Representing EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa):
Lombardia LL, Milano, Italy
And away we go! The heat of the summer brings out the best in our softball players -- good luck and enjoy the ride. Hope to see you in Portland and we'll be following all of the news starting NOW! :)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
National Pro Fastpitch + Little League Softball
A new partnership was announced yesterday on the women's pro softball website:
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2009) – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Softball League and Little League International have established a partnership that will provide the Little League Softball program with additional training and education resources, and expand awareness and opportunities for the NPF and the nearly 400,000 girls who play in the various divisions of Little League Softball.
As teams and leagues around the country gear up for the 2009 season, this great news should provide a boost for coaches and players as they build skills and form teams.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (Feb. 11, 2009) – The National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) Softball League and Little League International have established a partnership that will provide the Little League Softball program with additional training and education resources, and expand awareness and opportunities for the NPF and the nearly 400,000 girls who play in the various divisions of Little League Softball.
As teams and leagues around the country gear up for the 2009 season, this great news should provide a boost for coaches and players as they build skills and form teams.
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