The Board of Directors for youth baseball and softball in East Orange County is recommending a move from Little League to Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken. Little League is no longer meeting the needs of the community in terms of competition and flexibility. Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken would allow for expanded boundaries, more competitive divisions that better develop skills, and increased park utilization to support growth. The Board will proceed with a membership vote and re-chartering process to officially make the change beginning in Fall 2014.

1. The Future of Youth Baseball &
Softball in East Orange County

2. Issue
Youth baseball and softball in East Orange
are facing challenges in terms of
competition for market share. We do not
feel we need to be loyal to a brand that no
longer serves our needs
Action
The current Board of Directors decided to
explore re-chartering and potentially
moving to a new governing body
Impact
The Board evaluated a number of
operating bodies including PONY and Babe
Ruth / Cal Ripken. Based on our analysis
we are recommending a move to Babe
Ruth /Cal Ripken
Change
Outward change will be minimal. BR/CR
maps very nicely to existing age groups,
yet provides superior flexibility and more
competitive balance than LL
Time for Change
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3. The Competitive Landscape
• Youth baseball and softball in our area have undergone
significant competitive changes over the last few years
• The rise of travel ball has created more opportunities
for players to learn and play to the “real” rules of
baseball
• Recreation ball players consistently fall behind on
critical skills and are often at a disadvantage when they
reach high school in terms of playing at a competitive
level
• There are more competitive forms of baseball and
softball available, such as Pony and Babe Ruth / Cal
Ripken (BR/CR)
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4. The Competitive Landscape
• Other leagues in our region including Winter Park,
College Park, Oviedo, Altamonte Springs, South Orlando,
Winter Springs and others have moved to BR/CR
• We have a responsibility for setting the future direction
of baseball and softball in East Orange. We want a
league that is strong, growing and sustainable
• Leagues that don’t make the move to be more
competitive and raise their level of play often slide into
declining enrollment and fall into a state of disrepair
• Little League may not be the best format for the future
in East Orange County
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5. Rec ball is at the core of the baseball experience in East Orange County
Recreation baseball and softball1
Rec ball players want to have fun and play with their
friends
Fun2
Rec ball players also want to be competitive and
to play the same kind of baseball they see on TV
Competition3
Competitive travel ball players want the same
level of knowledge and competition. We want to
connect these experiences and provide for a
wide range of opportunities for our kids
The travel experience4
Recreational and Competitive Baseball /
Softball
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6. Constricted
Our current boundaries with
LL limit our growth and cause
undue stress for our families
Antiquated
LL rules do not allow us to
teach our kids the real rules of
baseball early enough (the
“open bases” dilemma)
Inflexible
LL rules prevent us from having
the flexibility to sponsor
multiple All Star teams without
forcing us to split into two
leagues and decide which
tournament to best place them
Not Always the Right Size
LL rules force our kids to play
on fields that may not be the
appropriate dimension for their
age and ability
Rules
Our concerns with Little League
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7. Current boundaries under LL
Current Boundaries Under LL
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8. Player in areas not covered by a
current CR/BR can choose to play at
East Orange, no waiver required
• Free market territory
Suggested new territory for East
Orange would add territory to the
west and north
• New territory
Our existing territory remains
exclusively ours with new the ability
to add to our current boundaries
• Existing LL territory
Flexibility in Boundaries
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9. 70%
Current utilization
90%
Future utilization
We currently serve about 700 kids
during our peak season in Spring.
Orange County considers East Orange to
be at roughly 70% utilization.
We think that expanding our territory
will allow us to add another 200 kids in
Spring at some point in the future and
move closer to 90% utilization. Park
utilization is an important determinant
in deciding who gets County funds for
improvement projects.
Expanded Territory Supports Growth
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10. LL – BR/CR Division Comparison
Little League Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth
Division Age Group Division Recommended Age Group
Tee Ball 4-5 Tee Ball 4-5
Coach Pitch 6 Coach Pitch U6 BB 5-6
Rookies 7-8 Rookie U8 BB 7-8
Minors 9-11 AA U10 BB 9-10*
Majors 10-12 Major U12 (46/60) 10-12*
Intermediate 11-13 Major U12 (50/70) 11-12*
Juniors 13-14 Babe Ruth (U13 Prep) 13
Seniors 15-16 Babe Ruth (13-15) 13-15
Big League 16-18 Babe Ruth (16-18) 16-18*
Divisions - * Babe Ruth /Cal Ripken allows for much more flexibility
Instruction - Kids will continue to get the same quality coaching and play
Fields - East Orange has the facilities to accommodate BR/CR
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11. Rules
BR/CR – The Pieces All Fit
Offering children a dynamic growth and competitive experience with friends.
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12. Our Recommendation
It is the recommendation of the BOD to proceed with
membership vote and re-charter to move our
affiliation from LL to Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken upon the
conclusion of the Spring 2014 season.
The change to BR/CR will need to be voted on by our
current league membership, which includes families
who paid a registration fee for the Spring 2014
baseball season (one vote per household) and current
league volunteers, including current Board members
and coaches.
Upon the opening of the Fall 2014 season, we will be
operating under the same Board, coaching , local
governance, and vendor relationships with the
exception of our re-branding being chartered under
Babe Ruth / Cal Ripken.
Recommendations and Call to Action
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13. Proceed with re-incorporation to be named “East Orange Youth Sports” to
facilitate the inclusion of any newly expanded boundaries.
Create a Marketing Team to help facilitate communicating the message of
the change to the existing and expanded territory.
Work with the BR/CR state commissioner to procure the Charter fee and
insurance to complete the charter process. The cost compared to LL is a
comparative “wash”.
.
Restructure our divisions as needed to align to BR/CR.
Recommendations and Call to Action
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14. Board Vote
League-wide Email
An email with a link to this
presentation and
associated FAQs is sent to
current League Members
Fall ‘14May 11Spring ‘14
Membership Vote
League Members may
vote at the park via
paper ballot. One vote
per household
Registration Opens
Registration for
Fall 2014
Vote Count
Membership vote is
counted and announced
via email and website
Suggested Timeline
A New Era Begins
Our park officially becomes a Babe Ruth
/ Cal Ripken affiliate
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15. THANK YOUTHANK YOU
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