By Whitney Donohue
Moapa Valley Progress
Moapa Valley Little League held tryouts last week for this year’s team play. The tryouts were held on Thursday, February 3 and Saturday, February 5 at the Logandale Sports Complex. Over 100 kids showed up to try out. The tryouts signal the start of the 2011 Little League season.
Soon the sounds of baseball will be heard throughout the valley, although those sounds may be slightly different than past years. In a surprise move from the National Little League in Williamsport, PA, many composite bats have been banned from play, leaving only five models of composite bats approved in the league for all age levels. At issue is the speed with which the ball can come off of the bat, potentially causing serious harm to players unable to adequately field the ball.
Local sign-ups for the 2011 season ended on Saturday, February 5. Players who missed the registration deadline will now be placed on a waiting list. If there is enough interest, an additional team will be formed.
For the second year, Mesquite is playing teams with Moapa Valley’s teams. Officially Mesquite has its own league, but with only two, possibly three, teams, the best chance for competition comes from playing Moapa Valley’s teams.
MVLL is still in need of coaches for teams. To volunteer, please contact Gene Houston for baseball at 398-3776 or Ted Leavitt for softball at 398-3121.
Moapa Valley High School is hosting a player clinic for interested players. The clinic will be held at the high school ball fields on March 5. The cost for early signup is $20. If you sign up on the day of the clinic, the cost will be $30. For more information on this clinic, contact coach Justin Williams at 801-472-5636.
Moapa Valley Little League is also looking for adult volunteers to umpire games. For more information, please contact Jeff Longman at 702-355-1933.
Games will begin in full force by the end of March. Most games will be held at the Logandale Sports Complex, with some games held at the ball field in Overton Park.
The regular season will end at the beginning of June. There will be a short break before the All Star season starts up in July, with All Star teams traveling to Las Vegas to complete locally, with the final goal being the Little League World Series, held in Williamsport, PA in August.
Opening Day for the Moapa Valley Little League season will be in March at the Logandale Sports Complex. Watch the Progress for further details.
