Elm Street Park Greenville, North Carolina July 12 - July 19

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1 Elm Street Park Greenville, North Carolina July 12 - July 19

2 IMMEDIATELY UPON DETERMINIG THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM YOUR DISTRICT, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING: 1. Direct the Manager or Team Representative to Contact Brian Weingartz, Tournament Director, immediately, at (252) , or by at Please note that you can call anytime day or night. 2. team roster & photo to Rosters should include player s first name, last name and uniform number. Please include the Manager and Coaches first and last names. Also, identify the players, manager and coaches in team photo. 3. team contact information to baawein@aol.com. Please include league name, city name, and cell phone numbers for contacting your team during the tournament. 4. Review the Hotel Information section in this manager s guide (page 10) and reserve your rooms. 5. All players, coaches, and families are invited to opening ceremonies with a dinner following sponsored by Greenville Little Leagues. (See tournament schedule on page 5) JUST A QUICK NOTE TO EVERYBODY, THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE PLAYED IN STALLINGS STADIUM AT ELM STREET PARK. STALLINGS STADIUM IS THE GRANDSTAND STRUCTURE BEHIND HOME PLATE OF THE BALL FIELD. THE ENTIRE PARK IS KNOWN AS ELM STREET. STALLINGS STADIUM AND ELM STREET ARE ONE AND THE SAME SO PLEASE DON T BE CONFUSED. 2

3 STOP! DO THIS FIRST!... 2 Contact Information... 4 Tournament Schedule & Bracket... 5 Elm Street Park... 7 Directions... 9 Hotel Information Parking First Aid Water Ball Park Concessions Memorabilia Sales Photography Policy Playing Surface Fence Batting Cages & Practice Facilities Sports Connection Next Level Training Center Local Sporting Goods Stores Seating

4 TOURNAMENT WEBSITE ELM STREET PARK ADDRESS 1055 South Elm Street Greenville, North Carolina ELM STREET PARK TELEPHONE (252) (only answered during games) TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN WEINGARTZ (252)

5 Tuesday, July 12 6:30 pm Opening Ceremonies 7:15 pm Dinner for Players and Families Sponsored by Greenville Little Leagues 7:45 pm Manager s and Coaches Meeting in Drew Steele Center (across the street) The winning team advances to the Tournament of State Champions to be held July 29 August 3 here in Greenville. Pin trading is a Little League tradition. Remember to bring your pins to trade at the ballpark! 5

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7 The venue for this year s 9-11 year old North Carolina State Tournament is Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park. We hope that everybody who visits will enjoy this ballpark as much as every Little Leaguer in Greenville enjoys it. Elm Street is not only a Little League park it is a community gathering place. Regular season games at Elm Street not only draw parents and family members of the players but parents of former players and other community members. Baseball at Elm Street is truly a part of the fabric that makes up Greenville. Elm Street Park opened on May 23, 1951 and played host to Greenville s first Little League game. It served as the home field to state championship teams in 1957, 1964, 1970, 1984, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2006, 2011 & The 1998 USA South Regional Champions Greenville Tar Heel Little League, after finishing as the nation s second best team, was greeted by hundreds of fans upon arriving home after the Little League World Series in Elm Street s parking area. The 1970 State Champions, who called Elm Street home, were coached by current J.H. Rose High School coach Ronald Vincent. Vincent is the all time victory leader among North Carolina high school baseball coaches. He won his first State Championship as a coach coaching Little Leaguers at Elm Street. The fall of 1999 was disastrous for Elm Street. Floodwaters from Hurricane Floyd submerged the entire field with about 4 feet of water. When the waters were at their highest they reached the edge of the concrete walkway in front of the right field bleachers. When the waters went down extensive damage was exposed. The concession stand had washed off of its foundation and collapsed. The same thing happened to the old concrete and wood bleachers and press box behind home plate. The field itself was a disaster. While Pitt County was reeling from the incredible amount of damage throughout the community the recovery effort was stalled for about 6 weeks. Halloween weekend of 1999 started a rebirth of the ballpark. Former Greenville Little Leaguer Chris Ball (currently a professional groundskeeper in the Braves organization) and Diamond Pro (a groundskeeping product company) contacted us and had a plan to get the ball field back up to speed for the 2000 season. Their plan was to bring in several professional groundskeepers, donated equipment and Diamond Pro infield topdressing. Then in one whirlwind Halloween weekend they got the field back to where it needed to be. After the dugouts had been cleaned, debris had been removed, the field started to look 7

8 pretty good. Ball and Diamond Pro asked for one thing before they left that weekend. They asked that since we had been given such a tremendous gift that we not squander it away. In other words we were told that we needed to keep up the field, not let it turn into a run of the mill field but work hard to make it a showplace. Greenville Little Leagues exceeded their expectations. Since 2000 Elm Street has seen improvements each year. A new outfield fence was added before the 2005 season. The infield was completely resodded with 419 Bermuda Grass after the 2005 season. During the 2006 off season and during the early parts of the 2007 season many more changes greeted fans at Elm Street. A new MUSCO lighting system which exceeds Little League s minimum standards was installed. On April 12 the red brick walls which are located down each foul line were built. The Joey Overby Memorial Viewing Deck was completed on Memorial Day. Don t just look at the viewing deck, go out on it, or better yet take in a game from the comfort of your lawn chair. The view from the deck is spectacular. Three new flagpoles were also installed in center field in In July of 2014 Elm Street Park hosted the North Carolina State Little League Tournament which was enjoyed by all who attended. Nearly 600 attended the championship game which featured Southwest Forsyth Little League defeating Greenville North State Little League. Since 2010 Elm Street has hosted the Tournament of State Champions (TOSC) for year olds. The TOSC each year features State Champion year old teams from all of our Southeastern states. The defending champion of this tournament is Wilson City Little League of Wilson, North Carolina. Elm Street has hosted the 9-10 year old TOSC since This tournament, previously held at Mitch Stadium in West Virginia from 2005 through The dates for the 9-10 year old TOSC are from July and the dates for the TOSC are July 31 - August 5. A new era at Elm Street had its beginnings after the 2010 Tournament of State Champions. The Stallings family approached us and asked What is next for Elm Street? Our answer was that we would like to see a stadium built. After many meetings with architects, builders, city officials and others construction began on January 2, After playing nearly an entire season here with temporary scorekeeping facilities, a temporary backstop and a whole lot of other temporary stuff the stadium opened for business on June 22, 2012 hosting the semi finals of our minor league tournament. This stadium you see before you has been the dream of many in Greenville for many years. Greenville is a great baseball town and this stadium makes this town and this ballpark a memorable destination for your Little Leaguer. Elm Street s field receives meticulous care throughout the year. We take particular pride in making sure that the field looks great and is clear of leaves during Thanksgiving and Christmas as many of our former players who have come home to visit seem to always visit their old ballpark. The field is edged on a weekly basis which helps keep the transition from dirt to grass smooth. Elm Street s infield is mowed 6 times a week during the season while the outfield is mowed 3-4 times a week. The field is dragged and the pitchers mound and batters boxes are totally prepared for the next day s action each evening. Our ground crew takes particular pride in the fact that our kids get to play on it a lot. The field has hosted over 100 games this season as well as a full slate of preseason practices. Our Minor Leaguers get to play at least two games on the field, our 17 seven and eight year old teams get to play at least one time at Elm Street, and the field will play host to three baseball camps this summer for kids age We are proud of our ballpark and we think that after spending time here you will enjoy it as much as the citizens of Greenville do. 8

9 For GPS purposes the address is 1055 South Elm Street, Greenville, NC East (Washington) - Take 264 West approximately 18 miles - Turn left onto US 264 ALT E / NC 33 E and travel approx. 2 miles - Turn right onto E 10th Street and travel 1.3 miles - Turn left onto South Elm Street and travel half a block - Park will be on your left West (Wilson) - Take 264 East approximately 27 miles - Stay straight toward downtown and do not take 264 towards Washington becomes Stantonsburg Road and travel 1.4 miles - Turn right onto Arlington Blvd. and travel approx. 2 miles - Turn left onto Greenville Blvd. - Go to the third light and turn left onto South Elm - Travel 0.8 miles and park will be on your right North (Bethel) - Take 13/11 South approximately 12 miles - Turn left onto Airport Blvd. - After the railroad tracks, take a right onto Greene Street - Go across the river and take a left onto First Street - Turn right onto South Elm Street - Park will be on your left South (Kinston) - Take 11 North approximately 27 miles - 11 North will become Memorial Drive - Turn right onto US 264 ALT/ Greenville Blvd. SW/ NC 43 - Continue to follow US 264 ALT/Greenville Blvd. SW for 2.7 miles - Turn left onto South Elm Street and travel 0.8 miles - Park will be on your right 9

10 305 SW Greenville Blvd. Greenville, NC Moye Blvd Greenville, NC Use Code: GLI or refer to the 9-11 State Tournament The Holiday Inn Express is offering a discounted rate of $99.00 per night plus tax for single or double occupancy rooms for players, coaches and parents. 207 SW Greenville Blvd. Greenville, NC Greenville Blvd. Greenville, NC Refer to the 10/11 NC STATE Room Rate $124 includes complimentary hot breakfast Additional Lodging Options are listed on the Accommodations page at 10

11 PARKING Parking is free and is allowed in the Elm Street Park parking lot, the Elm Street Gymnasium Parking lot (directly across the street). Street parking is also allowed in the marked areas along Elm Street. FIRST AID First Aid will be available in the souvenir stand located under the awning near the concession stand. WATER Ice Water and cups will be supplied to each team. Teams are welcome to bring their own beverages in to the dugout area if they wish. BALL PARK CONCESSIONS The concession stand features hot foods which include: hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ sandwiches, Domino s Pizza and nachos. It also includes items such as popcorn, peanuts, candy, soft drinks, water, frozen lemonade, sports drinks, and ice cream will be offered at reasonable prices. We realize the high cost of travel and while we hope you will frequent our concession stand on occasion we want you to enjoy your stay as much as possible. MEMORABILIA SALES A souvenir stand will be located between the Elm Street Center and the first base bullpen. Tournament t-shirts, hats, postcards, baseballs, pins, programs, and Baseball at Elm Street prints are all a part of the selection of souvenirs that will be offered. 11

12 PHOTOGRAPHY POLICY Only accredited media people may enter the field or bullpen area to photograph or videotape the games. Fans are welcome to take pictures from the spectator areas. Please remember FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS PROHIBITED. PLAYING SURFACE The infield grass is 419 Bermuda Grass and the outfield is common Bermuda grass. The skinned area of the infield is clay from Stovall, NC top dressed with approximately 2.5 tons of infield conditioner. The walkways and areas in front of the dugouts are red brick dust while the coaching areas at first and third base are Astroturf. FENCES The outfield fence is 200 feet all the way around and 4 feet high. It is made of treated wood and was built before the 2005 season. BATTING PRACTICE (PRE GAME) Pre game batting practice may be taken in the batting cages behind third base dugout. These cages (1 to a team) are reserved for you for a time period beginning two hours prior to your scheduled game time. PRACTICE FACILITIES Fields may be reserved for practice during off times at the Perkins Complex. The Perkins Complex (1701 East 14th Street) can be found by exiting Elm Street s parking lot and turning left. Go left at the light at 14 th Street and go through 1 light (Greenville Boulevard). After crossing Greenville Boulevard take an immediate left onto Leon Hardee Rd. The Perkins Complex is at the end of Leon Hardee Road (about 300 feet). There are two cages and three fields available for practice. To reserve fields for practice on off days call Brian Weingartz at (252)

13 INDOOR FACILITIES The Sports Connection, an indoor hitting facility located directly in front of the Perkins Complex, will also be available for indoor batting practice during the tournament. Call (252) for more information. The Next Level Training Center is an indoor baseball facility located on 1750 Wimbledon Drive. This is a top notch training facility which will also be available for indoor practices and workouts. The Next Level is about a 10 minute drive from Elm Street. More information on the Next Level Training Center may be obtained by dialing (252) SPORTING GOODS STORES Dick s Sporting Goods, located at 3500 Galleria Drive (252) , can help you with many of your sporting goods needs while your are here in Greenville Stadium Sports, located on 1400 Charles Boulevard (252) , can also help you with any sporting goods needs you have during your stay in Greenville. SEATING AT ELM STREET PARK Fans are welcome to sit in any of the stadium style chair back seats behind home plate, the right field bleachers, or in lawn chairs on the right field upper deck. Spectators are also welcome to lean on the brick walls down either foul line or watch the game from behind the outfield fence. Permanent seating capacity at Elm Street breaks down like this: Stallings Stadium (Sections ) 234 seats Right Field Bleachers (Sections ) 400 seats Standing Room and Lawn Chair Seating provides space for approximately 600 spectators. 13