January 25, 2008

Evergreen Sports

Evergreen Little League batting for a home run with fundraising campaign

By Tracy Beaufort
Special to the Evergreen Times

This spring, Evergreen Little League baseball and softball players will return to fields and practice facilities throughout the Evergreen area. In stark contrast to the facilities of neighboring leagues, players in Evergreen will return to fields with sunken infields, weeds, gopher holes and outdated or nonexistent practice equipment.

Evergreen Little League is one of the largest leagues in the area, with 54 teams and 20 playing fields. Although the league has many generous sponsors, the sheer size of the organization, combined with the goal of keeping registration fees reasonable for all players, has left the league's facilities in dire need of a facelift. The fields are located primarily on school district property, and while the district waters and mows, Evergreen Little League is responsible for all other maintenance and field improvements.

In order to give its 600 participants a positive and safe playing experience, Evergreen Little League is launching a special fundraising campaign, called the “Fields of Green Fund" to raise $150,000. “For over twenty years, our goal has been to offer the best possible baseball experience for the youths in our community,” said Scott Karstetter, president of Evergreen Little League. “It's time to make some crucial investments to improve the facilities in which these kids play.”

The 2008 Evergreen Little League Fields of Green Fund will finance projects such as fencing, batting cages, bull pens, new fields and irrigation, as well as ongoing field maintenance to keep the improvements in top condition.

“Evergreen Little League's proposed field upgrades not only benefit Little League participants, but also enrich school athletics programs and the community as a whole,” continued Karstetter.

To find out more about the Evergreen Little League Fields of Green Fund, including a list of projects and how to donate, go to www.ell-baseball.com/sponsors.htm or call 408-534-1727.

TimesSports Briefs

East Valley Softball Early Registration
The San Jose Police Activity league (PAL) announces early bird registration dates for its Twisters Fast Pitch Softball. Age divisions are 8U – 16U. Dates are as follows:

Saturdays: Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ocala Softball Fields, rain or shine.

Wednesdays: Jan. 16 and 29, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at Round Table Pizza, Aborn & White Road.

To register, bring your completed registrations form, birth certificate, and Liability Release form and division fee. There is a $20 volunteer deposit per family required at the time of sign-up, refundable after 10 hours of volunteer time has been fulfilled. For more information, including forms and division fees, visit www.etamz.com/evsltwisters or call 291-3248.


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