The Little League season ended Saturday with home runs, sparkling catches, happy kids, proud parents and lots of money for the sport.
Every division played an all-star game, emphasizing fun rather than the final run total, with former opponents cheering each other on as team mates.
An awards ceremony was held after each game, with everyone getting a medal and special awards given for sportsmanship, most improved player and division champs.
CIBC won the T-ball division, Progressive Distributors came first in the pony league and Island Paving took top honours in the 10-12 group.
Corporate sponsors help keep the Cayman Islands Little League Association going each season by paying for such team items as uniforms, balls and catching equipment, but another important fund-raising tool is the annual raffle.
This year, the league’s players raised about CI$35,000 through ticket sales. In 2004, the raffle brought in about CI$58,000, one of the best years ever, according to Jim Parham, vice president of the Little League.
‘It’s been a tough year for everybody, so we’re happy to get what we can get,’ Mr. Parham said.
The money will be used to improve the facilities at the Fields of Dreams, he added.
‘The money will help to continue repairs to the facilities here and to replace equipment. It will be used to get us back to where we were before the hurricane,’ Mr. Parham said.
He is already looking at ways to improve the league next season. He is hoping to offer some pay to umpires who now call games as volunteers.
Mr. Parham also wants to give coaches the opportunity to appreciate the job that umpires do.
‘Next year, I want to take coaches from one division and have them umpire a different division. That way they can look at the game from both sides,’ he said.
Though the new season doesn’t officially start until March 2006, interested children can join the fall fun league in September.
In this way, the children get an opportunity to play baseball in a more relaxed environment.
‘There will be fall activities for everyone who wants to be involved,’ Mr. Parham said.
He knows a lot about being involved. In addition to his work as an official in the league, Mr. Parham is the coordinator of both the T-ball and pony divisions. This year he also coached a 10-12 team and a T-ball team.
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