Our organization is committed to Positive Coaching Alliance ideals. We expect our coaches to be “Double-Goal Coaches” who strive to win and to help players learn lessons that will help them be successful in life.

The PCA’s definition of A POSITIVE COACH:

• Honors the Game by showing respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and one’s Self.
• Redefines “Winner” in terms of Mastery as well as the scoreboard by emphasizing effort, learning and improvement, and rebounding from mistakes rather than fearing them.

This is the “ELM Tree of Mastery” (Effort, Learning, Mistakes OK).

Thanks Michael and good luck in Spring Training and the 2012 season!!

P.S. The cameraman apologizes for the wind noise – he should have used the wireless microphones!

• Saturday, Jan 7th & Sunday, Jan 8th
• 10am -2pm
• Location:  Next to the Moreland Major Field

Every player must be verified. Please mark your calendars today and plan on attending.

In addition, we will be holding Major/Minor division tryouts slots on these days. If you haven’t schedule a time slot for try outs, please contact the Player Agent, Shandi Holder at player-agent@morelandlittleleague.org.

What to Bring:

1. Proof of age for each player, such as an original birth certificate (copies will not be accepted). Refer to the Little League proof of age requirements.
2. Three separate documents confirming residency, such as a valid ID, PG&E, and DMV registration (Little League Rules). Three utility bills won’t work (PG&E, water, phone will only be considered one proof).
3. A copy of the registration receipt / confirmation email
4. A valid ID for each volunteer (for the purpose of background checks)
5. Your checkbook

Interested in Coaching?

Whether you are new to baseball or new to coaching, Moreland Little League has number of training programs this year for coaches and managers.  If you are interested in coaching, please complete the application found at this link:

Manager Application Form

You will also need to complete the Little League Background form, which is at this link:

Little League Background Form (pdf format)

Go Moreland!

The first clinic will be with the Positive Coaching Alliance next Thursday, 2/9 at 6pm at the Sports Basement in Sunnyvale. Pizza and drinks will be supplied by Sports Basement. Each team will be sending at least one representative, but we will have limited seating available for non-coaches.

We are especially excited about our partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA). PCA has been involved with youth sports since 1998. PCA’s main objective is to assist our coaches in teaching our Moreland Little Leaguers to compete hard, while teaching life-lessons through sports in a positive manner. Some of the PCA’s National Advisory Board members include Bruce Boche, Dusty Baker and Steve Young.

To sign up for the PCA opportunity or other upcoming training, use the form below:

Planting Grass Seed

Please stay off the Major, Minor and AA fields this week.  The fields were re-seeded last week and it will probably take a week for things to settle.

This promises to make the grass of the Moreland fields even thicker and will result in fewer weeds during the season.

This is just one example of the ongoing improvements to the MLL complex (some near-term and long-term ideas are below).  These improvements are largely funded through generous donations, as well the brick patio fundraiser.

Please consider an end-of-year donation to Moreland Little League to help fund these programs.  Moreland Little League is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization operating under charter of Little League Baseball, Inc.

Spreading the grass seed

Checks can be mailed to:

Please contact Dave Roberson at groundskeeper@morelandlittleleague.org for providing in-kind donations.

Near and Long-Term Capital Project Plan & Wish List

1. Batting Cage Astroturf and appurtenances (Partially funded, will be in before practice begins 2/12)
2. Driveway entrance accessibility and gate relocation (improved access and aesthetics for complex – Spring 2012)
3. Redwood Grove at SW corner of AA-Ball field (in progress)
4. AA-Ball field green slats into fencing to provide aesthetic barrier (similar to Major and Minor field)
5. Various minor electrical projects (to be conducted by MLL member electrician 2012)
6. Continue paver hardscaping to completely surround snack bar area, increase bathroom accessibility (improved access and aesthetics for complex)
7. Installation of used astroturf in Board Room (aesthetics and temperature control comfort)
8. Re-Painting of Buildings (Summer 2012)
9. Extension of Video Surveillance System to AA-Ball field, Batting Cages, Minor Field, Board Room
10. Replacement of Tournament Field Backstop (long overdue dilapidated backstop requires repairs each off season)
11. A-Ball field extension – to 90′ diamond (increases flexibility and potential for sub-lease revenue)
12. Basketball & Sport Court adjacent to brick patio/equipment shed in large rock areas (provide aesthetically appealing and safe place for siblings to play)

Have other ideas for improving the fields, leave a comment below.

The above slide show presents snapshots of yesterday’s Community Clean-up day at the Moreland Little League complex.  Over 21 people joined Moreland School District personnel in this 4+ hour event to remove underbrush along the fences, rake tons of leaves and clean up trash throughout the complex. Students from Prospect and Westmont High School were  invaluable and the preparation work that Joe from M.A. Landscaping did was instrumental in helping us get so much done on this crisp, but sunny day.

A big highlight of the day was lunch break, which included 8 pizzas supplied at no cost to the league by Mountain Mike’s, 301 E. Hamilton, Campbell.   That sort of support from the local business community is critical to the success of Moreland Little League.  Thanks Mountain Mike’s for your support and thanks again to everyone who had a part in this successful day!

Map of where last year’s players reside

This video provides a brief overview of Moreland Little League and its focus on kids, institution and community.  Putting kids first and making sure that our league is providing the coaching and training, while adding in a positive way to their educational and family experience is clearly the number one goal.

Creating a strong organization that can sustain and find new ways to support our kids will be a key part of our efforts.  As such, we are going to continue to try to implement technology and processes that reduce the friction required to run a league with 300+ members.  Long-term, hopefully, this will translate into lower fees and more scholarships (than the 26 given last year).

What we are doing is bigger than youth baseball.  It is about community.

My family has made relationships with people both in my neighborhood (which is on the other side of Winchester) and from other parts of San Jose that was only possible because of the MLL connection; MLL transcends school districts and neighborhoods.

I have seen examples of how the cross-pollination extends to the school system.  For instance, my spouse has borrowed several ideas of PTA and Home and School fundraisers and implemented them in schools in the Campbell school district.

It is the casual conversations in the stands that build relationships that ultimately lead to events that build a stronger community and a better place for our kids.