As we wrap up the 2023 baseball season, I wanted to take the opportunity to look back on our many accomplishments from this past season and provide a status update on the various initiatives that the League has undertaken to improve baseball in Wallingford as well as provide an update on the proposed merger with Yalesville Little League.
First and foremost, I want to thank our players, parents, family members, coaches, umpires, league officials, sponsors, and volunteers. Learning life lessons through baseball does not come by accident, it is the result of countless hours of volunteerism and dedication. Thanks to all for a FUN & EXCITING 2023 season!
Recapping the 2023 season, player registrations held nearly steady at their post-pandemic levels.
WLL fielded a total of 26 regular season teams, nearly half of which were at the T-Ball & Single A levels. This bodes well for the future! PBA took home the Majors division tournament championship, with Vertucci Automotive bringing home the hardware in AAA and Incredible Oil securing the AA championship. League championship play demonstrated Little League baseball at its best, with great play and admirable sportsmanship.
In the summer season, WLL continues to lead the pack in providing multiple opportunities for our players to compete in both the District All-Star Tournament and other postseason tournaments.
WLL fielded competitive 12U and 10U District All-Star teams and partnered with Yalesville Little League on a combined 11U team. I’m especially proud of the way the combined 11U team came together, with uniforms that combined the Leagues’ traditional colors all united under the 06492 embroidered on the side of their caps! WLL also sponsored three Seabreeze tournament teams at the 12U, 10U, & 9U levels and an 8U team that competed up north in District 7. That’s a lot of postseason play! And, of course, we continue to partner with YLL on Junior League, Challenger, and Fall Ball.
On the infrastructure front, WLL was approved for about $24,000 of ARPA money earmarked for improvements to our facilities. We have contracted for (long overdue) repairs of our batting cages at Vietnam Memorial Park and are also working closely with the Town to acquire and install scoreboards at the park. Other smaller improvements are planned as well. The Town has plans to improve the drainage of these fields as well, so I’m hopeful that Vietnam Park will improve noticeably for 2024 & beyond.
Lastly, I would like to provide our community an update on the proposed merger with Yalesville Little League. As many are aware, Wallingford comes together for youth football, soccer, and lacrosse, yet Little League baseball remains divided into two separate organizations. This is in spite of many efforts over the years to consolidate under one banner. While I understand the allegiance of many in YLL to their League, player numbers don’t support two separate baseball entities. Within our local area, Bristol and Meriden have merged multiple leagues into one town-wide league in recent years.
Given all this, last fall I collaborated with YLL President Ray Gomes to form a joint WLL-YLL committee to formally pursue merging of our Leagues. The committee worked diligently through many issues and addressed various concerns, reaching a point in the early summer where the merger seemed likely.
Throughout this process, the WLL Board of Directors has demonstrated its support of the merger, recognizing the benefits it would bring to our kids, the sport, and our community. Unfortunately, the YLL Board of Directors recently voted against the merger. While the vote was close – 9 in favor, 10 opposed, with one abstention – it was nonetheless a very disappointing result after much effort.
Detailed rationale for Yalesville's decision was not provided.
WLL Board Members, and many well-intentioned folks on the Yalesville side, recognize the inevitability of a merger with Yalesville for the benefit of Little League baseball and our players. We will continue to extend a warm invitation to engage in future discussions, however we are now focusing our resources to the forthcoming season rather than dwelling on what might have been.
Speaking of next season, the League will celebrate our 75th Anniversary in 2024. Since its founding in 1949, the League continues its mission of providing quality recreational opportunities for the town’s youth. No eligible player is turned away. If your child lives east of the Wilbur Cross Parkway, or goes to school on the east side, you are welcome to join our League. Our anniversary year promises to be an exciting year for Wallingford Little League. We are planning a series of events designed to bring our community together and look forward to extending a warm invitation to all to join in the festivities.
Thanks again for being part of the WLL community. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions!
Play Ball! Always!
Larry McClure
President, WLL
PresLarryWLL@gmail.com
