Appendix: the structure of the VCLL

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size

Notes

1. http://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/historyandmission/mission.htm.

2. In some leagues, coaches pitch to their own players rather than a pitching machine.

3. The league’s boardroom sits atop a two-story cinder block building that also houses the equipment storage shed and the concession stand.

4. There was, however, significant overlap in these positions. Many board members were also managers, for example, and managers were required to umpire games, etc.

5. The Player Agent is an officer-level position whose responsibilities included ensuring the eligibility of all players in terms of geography and age, and overseeing team construction for all age divisions. Usually, the VCLL had separate Player Agents for baseball and softball, but Lawrence had responsibility for both when he served.

6. Club teams here refer to teams that played in leagues that required more travel, higher fees, and no rules regarding playing time. Generally, the players who played for these teams were more committed to the sport and were better skilled, though they generally welcomed any players whose parents were willing to pay and who would not complain about playing time or playing positions.

7. The consensus of parents I spoke with was that the local wrestling and football leagues were the most competitive, followed closely by club baseball and softball leagues. Little League and the local youth basketball leagues resided somewhere in the middle, and the local soccer league was by far the least competitive. Parents differed in their opinions of what level of competitive emphasis was best, but they generally agreed on which leagues fit where on the continuum.

8. As a lifelong Cubs fan, I feel entitled to make that joke, which thankfully became outdated during the 2015–2016 seasons.