OPENING DAY IS SATURDAY!
Single A and Tee Ball families, you will hear from your Manager by the end of the week regarding your roster and first practice. We promise you will have news soon on the heels of tonight’s Managers’ Meeting!
The following Opening Day info is important for everyone, with some housekeeping reminders at the bottom. This is a long one – thanks for reading.
Opening Day
Saturday, March 26
8:45 am – 10:00 am
Parade Begins 9:00am sharp and Ceremony ~9:30 – 10:00 am
Where to Report: All players should meet their managers at Pimmit Hills Alternative High School (7510 Lisle Ave) at 8:45 am. Teams will line up by division, in alphabetical order within division. Look for your team’s banner! Intermediate, Majors and AAA teams meet their groups along Griffith Avenue. Double A and Single A round the bend from Griffith to Lisle. Tee Ball and Challengers are in front of the school’s front door, on Lisle. Challengers and Tee Ball lead the parade!
There are a lot of people arriving at the same time. Please come early, be careful, and ask for help if you need it!
The Parade starts at the school and proceeds down Lisle Avenue. The parade will continue to Peabody Court, Magarity Road, and finally the Westgate 2 baseball field. Follow the bagpiper!
Parking: There will be very limited parking available at Pimmit Hills School because that is where the players and teams are gathering. Parking at Westgate will be closed before and during the Opening Day Parade and Ceremony. Parking on a yellow curb (no parking zone) is never permitted. Parking is available at the Mitre Corporation Building 1 parking lot and on nearby streets. Parents are encouraged to drop their player at the Pimmit Hills School, park their cars, and then wait at Westgate for the parade to arrive. Of course, parents are welcome to march in the parade as well or cheer along the Parade Route.
Volunteers: We still need a few volunteers for Opening Day activities (8:15-10am). If you are skilled at cat herding (parking lot management, pointing teams to their spot on the turf, etc), please contact [email protected]. Volunteers get the best view of the Opening Day ceremony!
What to expect: A Parade from Pimmit Hills School to the Westgate turf, followed by first pitches, brief remarks, and the introduction of every team. Parents can walk in the Parade or drop their players off, park, and wait for the parade to arrive at Westgate. There will be a DJ, a food truck, and a couple of other surprises (let’s just say they require really large batting helmets). Attendance is not required but this is a great kickoff to the season and we’re thrilled to host it for the first time since 2019. We will wrap up around 10am. Please note, players and coaches only on the turf – parents and spectators have plenty of room to watch from around the fence. Masks optional.
What to bring (and what not to bring): Players should wear team jerseys and caps with their choice of pants and comfortable shoes. Leave your bat, glove, and any other gear in the car until game time.
Weather: It will be chilly, so dress accordingly. This show will go on in light to moderate rain.
Housekeeping as we kick off the season:
Crucial Paperwork:
Gear & Equipment:
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Not sure what you need for the season? The key thing for new players in a glove, water bottle, and protective cup for boys. Your Manager can help with everything else.
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Need some fresh FCKLL Fan Gear? Shop at the Team Store!
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Have old stuff (gloves, bats, helmets, shirts, pants, cleats, etc) to donate? Bring it to Westgate on Saturday, and buy some sweet FCKLL socks while you’re there! Items the League can’t use will be given to a local charity that puts sports gear into the hands of kids who need it.
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Lost something? There’s a lost-and-found box outside the fence at the Westgate Press Box, on the left/3rd base side of the building.
IT & Social Media:
News from the Sanitation Department:
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Porta-potties will be delivered to most fields on April 1. There is one at the Westgate Turf now, for your Opening Day convenience.
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And finally, dogs are never allowed inside the fences at any of our fields. Maintaining the fields is a ton of work, and dogs are not permitted on any space where our kids play ball.
Questions? This is the point in the season where your Manager takes over most of the communication (I know you are all looking forward to fewer emails from me!!). Questions should first go to your Manager. If they can’t answer, they’ll kick it to their Level Coordinator, Quartermaster, Player Agent, and so on.