Hello ZLL families! As you all know the Opening Day Ceremonies for 2018 were cancelled last weekend due to inclement weather. As much as we love Opening Day, our schedule moving forward is packed, and as such, we will not be rescheduling the ceremonies. Since the ceremonies are an important forum to discuss happenings with our organization, I want to take this opportunity to let you know about some important pieces of communication regarding this upcoming 2018 baseball and softball season.
We have fantastic sponsors! As a non-profit community organization, none of the programming would be possible without the financial support of so many generous individuals and local businesses. Whether you sponsored a team, contributed through Booster Club, named a field, or gave a special contribution, thank you so much for your donations. Our Opening Day Program includes a list of our much appreciated sponsors. As you see these sponsorships around the park, please remember them and frequent our local business partners.
I’d like to highlight a couple of special contributions. As you’ve probably noticed, our concessions stand is undergoing renovation (more on this later). Bob Harris of Kite-Harris Properties contributed funding for this project and we thank him. Also, Doug Chisholm of Chisholm Millwork graciously purchased a new portable mound for field 1. Also thanks to Jon Bankert and Boone County Resource Recovery for allowing us to use a dumpster during flood cleanup and field prep. Thanks for this “above-and-beyond” giving.
Speaking of the concession stand, we have been recently undergoing renovation. This project was on schedule to be completed by opening day, but recent flooding and freezing temperatures delayed us past the start of the season. We thank you for your patience. The work is complete and the stand will be open for business on Thursday April 19th.
We are also proud to announce that we have partnered with a new concessions vendor. Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream has partnered with ZLL to manage the concessions for 2018. They will provide a diverse menu of excellent ballpark food. A portion of the proceeds from concessions is returned to ZLL. We are excited about this offering and encourage everyone to patronize the stand on a regular basis.
While ZLL is a home to so many happy memories and fun times, we have unfortunately experienced sorrow with the passing of two very important individuals. Jack Connor and Steve Strecker exemplified the best characteristics of a ZLL athlete and a ZLL coach. In speaking to those who knew Jack, they consistently highlighted his joy for baseball, coachability, and bright, wide smile. As someone who knew Steve Strecker as both a fellow board member and neighbor, I can speak first hand to how influential he was and continues to be as a coach and board member to so many ZLL children. In their honor, the ZLL board has established the Jack Connor Sportsmanship Award and the Steve Strecker Coach of the Year Award for baseball and softball. These awards will be presented on Championship Saturday and details regarding nomination will be forthcoming.
Championship Saturday will have a new look this season. We plan to have this event in a similar way as Opening Day by gathering everyone on that morning for a short program with all teams in attendance followed by a lineup of tournament championship games. The aforementioned awards will be presented, as will the Sponsor of the Year and McKamey-Holmes Awards that are normally presented on Opening Day. Please plan to attend this program on June 16th and stick around in the park for all of the competitive final games.
Thanks for your attention to all of these important points as we start the 2018 season. We hope the coming spring bring us sunny skies and fun, community-based competition for the betterment of our young people. On behalf of myself and the ZLL Board, thanks and PLAY BALL!!!
Rodney Benner
President
Zionsville Little League