Ice warnings and megastorms may be what is confronting us at the moment but baseball fans are already thinking of Spring. More than one of my Facebook friends noted today that pitchers and catchers report to spring training in two weeks.
While I try I really don’t have it in me to care all that much about pro ball. Or any sport really.
I do, however, come from a long line of baseball fans (my Yankee -hating grandmother still listens to Met games on the radio and my sister considered having Mr. Met himself officiate her recent nuptials.) and my younger son has inherited this deep love of the game. At two years old this child, usually a perpetual motion machine, sat still and was totally focused during his very first Nats game.
Here on the Hill this smaller variety of fan is excited for a very different reason. Registration is now open for Capitol Hill’s very first Little League. (Well perhaps there was a Little League years ago, but that’s Robert’s territory.)
Baseball-loving kids on the Hill have not had a Little League of their own. (Had to…) They could play in Sports on the Hill’s developmental ball in the early summer or at 7 years old they could register with one of the other Little Leagues in the area. Recently Hill Little Leaguers played with the Northwest-based Cap City and the Northwest Leagues which meant many Saturday trips across town.
Last year my now 7 year old baseball fan was on one of two Hill teams of 7 and and 8 year olds participating in the Cap City League. Each team boasted well over 20 players. Kids were not able to get lots of playing time in and while they were awfully cute on the bench cheering on their teammates it was clear there were enough kids for several teams. Sensing that there might be a critical mass of potential ball players right here in the neighborhood, local business owner, parent and Red Sox fan Seth Shapiro, along with other parents, has started the Capitol Hill Little League.
When asked why they started a league he responded, ” We just wanted to play ball.” He then added, “We want our kids to grow up loving the game we love so much and still wish we could play with childhood dreams attached. Every community should have a neighborhood league. There have been volunteers making baseball happen on the Hill for years, but now both our community and our league are finally growing to where we have enough kids to keep the games in some ages ALL right here in the neighborhood. That is exciting, and with Little League, there is a chance for those who excel to play in summer tournaments and, who knows, maybe the Hill could send a team to Williamsport one of these days.”
Registration began February 1st for girls and boys ages 7-12.
Currently the plan is for 6 AA (7s &8 year olds) teams, 4 AAA (9-12 year olds) and 1 Majors (11-12).
Tryouts for the Major team will be March 5th and 12th. Workouts for AAA teams will be March 6th and 13th. Any kid who does not get picked for the Majors team will automatically be placed on a AAA team. Workouts for AA teams will be March 12th and 19th. The AA and AAA teams will primarily play other Hill teams while the Majors will play teams from other leagues.
Opening Day is April 2nd. No word yet on whether there will be peanuts and cracker jacks available for purchase but fans are welcome to bring their own.
Interested players and their parents should go to the CHLL’s website for registration and other information.
This is good news. I hope it expands and they eventually play at Mamie “Peanut” Johnson Field in Rosedale.