VVLLTryouts-02-27-16-01: VVLL officials register youngsters Saturday morning prior to the kids taking the fields for supervised instructions on the intricacies of baseball and softball. Photo by Lou Martin.
The Virgin Valley Little League held their fourth annual tryouts for boys and girls ages 8-13 years Saturday morning, Feb. 27 on the Virgin Valley High School ball fields. Over 260 youngsters participated in planned drills in front of coaches who will hold their annual draft to select players for 26 plus teams on March 1 and 2.
League officials led by President Dan Wright and assisted by the VVHS coaches and players ran the kids through running, throwing and batting instructions. The youngsters arrived in bunches to register, the 8-10 age minors taking the field first at 11a.m., followed by the 11-12 age majors at 12:30 pm and the older juniors at 2p.m.
Each participating youngster was given a number from VVLL officials before performing in front of the coaches. The coaches in turn kept notes on each child to help determine drafting order in March. Bulldog softball coach Travis Griffith and baseball coach Justin Goodsell were instrumental in laying out the fields and explaining the day’s routine to volunteers and players alike.
VVLLTryouts-02-27-16-02: VVHS baseball player Cade Anderson hits grounders to aspiring little leaguers Saturday morning on the VVHS ball field. Photo by Lou Martin.
“We hope to have 26 teams this year, 13 teams in baseball and 13 teams in softball,” said Wright. “We are a little down in the number of players this year for various reasons including kids returning to play in spring soccer. We have plenty of coaches but still need volunteers for umpiring and concession stands. We will have opening day ceremonies on April 4 at the Old Mill Road ball fields featuring the girl teams and the boys will kick off on April 5.”
After a long day, coaches, volunteers and youngsters left the fields a little more tired than when they began.
