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About West Madison Little League
League Descriptions for Regular Season
Regular Season Draft Information

 
 
League Descriptions for Fall Ball
Challenger League

WMLL Board of Directors & Meeting Minutes

About West Madison Little League

                        For Baseball specific information, click here.                            

                        For Girls' Softball specific information, click here.

                        For Sponsorship Options and Info, click here

                        For WMLL Event Calendar, click here

 

League Descriptions - Regular Season Baseball  (spring/summer season)
(Scroll down for Fall Ball Lg & Challenger Lg Descriptions)

Atlantic League 
This minor league program is for 8 and 9 year old players. This is a pitching machine program which is designed to develop the player's defensive and offensive skills and understanding of baseball strategy from the perspective of different positions. A primary emphasis will be on the individual's enjoyment of the sport.  This league plays with 10 fielders (4 outfielders) to provide more playing time for each player.

Pacific League
This minor league program is for 10 year old players. This is an individual's first exposure to live pitching by players. During this year, the player will continue to improve defensive and offensive skills as well as the understanding of the game of baseball. While maintaining the emphasis on enjoyment of the game, the level of competitiveness is slightly increased in this league.  One or more 9-year olds may be selected to play on each team depending upon registration numbers.

Central League 
This major league program is for 11 year old players. There will be a continued emphasis on the improvement in defensive and offensive skills, as well as the understanding of the game of baseball. Although competitive in nature, this league will still maintain a focus on the enjoyment of the sport.  One or more 10-year olds may be selected to play on each team depending upon registration numbers.

Philosophy and implementation guidelines for the
Atlantic, Pacific, and Central Leagues

          The Atlantic, Pacific and Central leagues, although competitive in nature, are instructional leagues intended to develop each player's understanding of baseball strategy and her/his offensive and defensive skills.  The primary emphasis in on each individual's participation, the exposure to a range of defensive positions and the enjoyment of the game of baseball .

Implementation

The following are guidelines for coaches to use in implementing the WMLL philosophy of participation.   In creating these guidelines it is recognized that coaches require and deserve latitude and flexibility to create an environment that achieves the WMLL philosophy.  It is further recognized that player factors affecting teamwork and skill development, such as attendance, sportsmanship and effort. may affect the implementation of these guidelines.

·     Defensive playing time rules are recognized as absolute minimums, not guidelines or suggestions.  No player or groups of players should be singled out, either positively or negatively, by consistently receiving either the maximum or minimum amount of playing time and

            *Generally when 10 or fewer players are present and six defensive innings are played, every player should play more than the minimum number of defensive innings.

             *Generally when 11 or more players are present, no player should be in the defensive lineup for six innings.

·     Positions in the batting order should rotate.  No player or groups of players should be singled out, either positively or negatively, by constant placement in the most desirable or least desirable positions in the batting order.

The instructional goals of these leagues are achieved by beginning to focus on a number of positions at which each player receives instruction and playing time in both practices and games.  Instruction in the skills of all positions should be available to all players.  Effort should be made to give game playing time at all positions which a player has the skills to handle safely and at which he/she, through their effort in practice, expresses a desire to play.  As a minimum, over the course of the season, all players should receive significant playing time at both infield and outfield positions.  Coaches should look for opportunities, such as in one-sided games, to rotate players to positions less familiar to them.


Major League 

This major league program is primarily for 12 year olds, but one or more 11-year olds are typically selected to play on each team depending upon registration numbers. Major League baseball is the highest level of play for this age group on the Little League-sized diamonds (60 ft. bases). Player skill levels are advanced and, while enjoyment is still promoted, the competitive aspect of the sport increases significantly.

Badger League 
This junior league program is for 13 and 14 year olds who want to further develop their skills in preparation for participation at the high school level. The game is played on a full-size baseball diamond (90 ft. bases) and follows many high school rules. The need for more sophisticated skill development and the introduction to the larger diamond makes this league both challenging and entertaining. Position assignments are determined not only by skill but also by physical capabilities.  Note: 14 year olds in high school have the option and generally do play in the Senior Lg.

Senior League 
This senior league program is primarily for 15 and 16 year olds, but 14 year olds attending high school may also opt to play in this league. Most league players will have played on a high school team or will, in the future, be playing interscholastic baseball. This league is designed to continue a player's preparation for a high school team and is WMLL's highest level of competition and player skill development. Individuals will become more specialized in the positions that they will play and participation time will vary.

League Descriptions - 2012 Fall Ball Season - Baseball
 
Fall Ball leagues are broken down by wider age ranges than regular season leagues.  NOTE: ages below are as of April 30, 2013 (so your player's fall ball placement will more closely simulate the league in which they will play during the 2013 regular spring/summer season):

Rookie Baseball -- 8, 9's   (Softball -- 8 thru 10)
Minor Baseball -- 10, 11's
Major Baseball -- 12's   (Softball -- 11, 12, 13, 14)
Junior Baseball -- 13, 14's (14's not in high school)
Senior Baseball -- 14, 15, 16's (14's in high school)

Players may request to play up a league if space is available.

League Descriptions - 2012 Fall Ball Season - Girls' Softball

There are three GIRLS' Fall SOFTBALL age levels, based on your age as of 1/1/13 (note change to 2013): 

Minor Softball (7, 8, 9) ... played on standard Little Lg field with 60 ft bases
Major Softball (10, 11, 12) ... played on standard Little Lg field with 60 ft bases
Junior Softball (13, 14)...  played on standard Little Lg field with 60 ft bases
***Note: Jr Softball will most likely be one travelling team playing other area Little Lgs (Sunday doubleheaders)

 

Challenger Lg for Children with Disabilities - 2012 Fall Ball Season

The Challenger Division of baseball is for children with disabilities.  Ages range from 7 to 16 and children will be placed on teams based on their abilities and amount of assistance needed.  This program is a  part of WMLL's Fall Balll Program. Each player will be assisted, as needed, by a "buddy."  Registration begins online June 15, 2012.

Click Here for Challenger Lg Brochure



About West Madison Little League Drafts & Team Formation
                            
All WMLL Regular Season teams are selected by drafts -- 
Drafts are conducted by league as organized by the league coordinator for that particular age league.  Player skill levels are evaluated at an annual Skills Clinic conducted each March for baseball players ages 8-12 and for softball players from ages 8-14.  In addition, player evaluations, as prepared at the end of the prior season by coaches, are distributed to every coach prior to the draft for review.

Team draft order is by random drawing with each round drafting in the reverse order (example: round 1 by teams 1 thru 10 and round two in the opposite order by teams 10 thru 1 and alternating each round until all players are selected).  At times, special provisions are made for the last round of the draft.

Coaches' sons and daughters are placed in the appropriate round of each league draft based on relative skill level by the league coordinator with input from all coaches.  This process attempts to insure that all teams have an equal opportunity to draft a competitive, balanced team.

Fall Ball Team Formation -- teams are formed by the league coordinators for the fall ball program.  Player skill level is assessed based on regular season player evaluations by coaches for WMLL players.  Parents of non-WMLL players are asked to fill out a skill level questionnaire and submit with their registration materials.  Each league coordinator works with several other coaches and they attempt to balance the teams from a skill level standpoint, while at the same time trying to accommodate each player's "buddy request" and travel needs for players coming from longer distances.
 

2012 West Madison Little League Board of Directors 


The Board of Directors is composed of 15 members. Terms are for three years. Past presidents are eligible to serve as Ex-officio, non-voting board members. The WMLL Executive Director is also an Ex-officio non-voting member.  Click Here for a short bio of each of our volunteer Board members.
 
Board Officers:

Tom Heneghan, President (theneghan@whdlaw.com) -- 698-1995
Harry Miller, Vice President-Baseball---Past Pres. (hlmiller@wisc.edu) -- 233-0866
Chip Hunter, Vice President-Softball (hunterfamily@charter.net) -- 345-7851

Maury Tomczak, Secretary/Treasurer (iextskis@sbcglobal.net) -- 271-5892

Board Members :

Randy Norton randaln@charter.net 279-0384
Andy Chitwood ajcwood2@gmal.com 669-4620
Paul Zwaska pzwaska@beaconathletics.com 469-7079
Jim Steeves jsteeves@sbcglobal.net 209-2815
Steve Hagens shagens@dls-ww.com 444-6363
Bob Jordan sponsor@wmll.org 848-9921
Steven Smith ssmith1091@tds.net 576-1466
Mark Newburg newy@tds.net 513-6399
Mike Metcalf mmetcalf12@charter.net 848-7639
Frank Lenoch 1chester@sbcglobal.net 658-5613
Ken Compton  idontnodou@aol.com 669-4895
Greg Mueller (ex-officio), Past Pres. madmem@charter.net 238-5907
Bill Battista (ex-officio), Exec. Director; Past Pres. eartags@aol.com 239-6161

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting
Dates for 2012:


Jan 8

Mar 4
Apr 15
May 29
Jun 24
Aug 19
Sep 16
Oct 13 (Annual Mtg)*
Oct 21
Nov 18
Dec 16

*Note: Annual Mtg is at Vitense Golfland,
9:00 AM

2 0 0 9
February 2009
March 2009

April 2009
May 2009
August 2009
Sept 2009
Oct 2009 Annual Mtg
Oct 10, 2009
Oct 18, 2009
Nov 22, 2009
Dec 13, 2009


2 0 1 1
January 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
Aug 2011
Sept 2011
Oct 2011 An Mtg
Oct 8, 2011
Oct 23, 2011
Nov 2011
Dec 2011
2 0 0 8
January 2008
February 2008
March 2008
April 2008
June 2008
August 2008
Sept 2008
Oct 2008 Annual Mtg
Oct 11, 2008
Oct 19, 2008
Nov 16, 2008
Dec14, 2008


2 0 1 0
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
June 1, 2010
June 27, 2010
Aug 2010
Sept 2010
Oct 2010 Annual Mtg
Oct 02, 2010
Oct 17, 2010
Nov 21, 2010
Dec 13, 2010
2 0 0 7
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
June 2007
August 2007

September 2007
October 2007 Annual Mtg
October 13, 2007
October 21, 2007
Board Duties
November 2007
December 2007
Prior Year Minutes
Board minutes, 2006
Board minutes, 2005

Board minutes, 2004
Board minutes, 2003
Board minutes, 2001-2002