The Diamond Dust WWW.RIVIERALITTLELEAGUE.ORG SPRING BALL - MARCH 3rd, 2012 Riviera Little League Opening Day at RLL! Riviera Little League Opening Day was held on February 25th. Over 40 teams, 500 players, coaches and volunteers took to the major field to officially kick off the 2012 season. The ceremonies began with Opening comments by RLL president Dave Ramirez. The Little League Players Pledge was led by Cameron Stamer, Nick Vidal, Noah Haig, Adam Turner, Carson Lindsey, Justin Gallo and Jacob Naefke. The RLL Board members were introduced by Dave Ramirez and the Adams Family was recognized for raising over $2500 for RLL. The Adams boys were rewarded with Snack Shack tickets and a Phiten necklace. RLL s player agent, Mike Cotton led the crowd in the Little League Parents Pledge. Jordyn Cramer gave a heartwarming performance of our National Anthem. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Senator Ted Lieu and Jack Witherspoon. Senator Lieu also presented Jack with a commemorative certificate of the occasion. To end the ceremony the teams from all divisions were introduced to the crowd of parents. The teams created a tunnel for the younger players to run through. We hope everyone had a great day and we look forward to another exciting season at RLL!
Photos from Opening Day
Majors Current Standings W L T GP PCT Last Weeks Box Scores Phillies 2 0 2 1.000% VISITOR HOME Orioles 2 0 2 1.000% Orioles 6 Reds 5 Red Sox 1 1 2.500% Red Sox 16 Cubs 7 Cubs 0 1 1.000% Phillies 8 Mets 3 Mets 0 1 1.000% Reds 9 Phillies 11 Reds 0 2 2.000% Red Sox 5 Orioles 8 Home Run Leaders: Adam Turner - (1) Minors Current Standings W L T GP PCT Last Weeks Box Scores Owlz 1 0 1 1.000% VISITOR HOME Bandits 1 0 1 1.000% Knights 7 Storm 7 Threshers 1 0 1 1.000% Muckdogs 3 Owlz 9 Storm 1 0 1 2.750% Bandits 9 Bulls 1 Hot Rods 1 1 2.500% Rattlers 4 Hot Rods 12 Knights 0 0 1 1.500% Threshers 11 Hooks 5 Hooks 0 1 1.000% Storm 11 Hot Rods 2 Rattlers 0 1 1.000% Muckdogs 0 1 1.000% Bulls 0 1 1.000%
Snack Shack Corner! RLL Concession Manager (Stephanie Little) was busy during the off season making improvements to our snack shack menu. Opening Day guests were treated with breakfast items to open the day. French Fries were added to our menu due to the purchase of a new outdoor deep fryer. Players also have an added treat this year with six new Slush Puppie flavors plus Shocker for that extra sour punch. Make your way over to the Snack Shack for some great food and refreshments! Find something you love, and go after it, with all of your heart. -Jim Abbott Stump the Ump Learning the Rules of Little League Situation: The batter gets set to hit the next pitch with a two-ball and two-strike count. The pitcher throws an inside pitch which the batter swings at, with the ball striking the batters hands. The umpire awards the batter first base. True or False? (Answer on last page)
RLL Sponsor Shout Out! RLL would like to say Thank You to all of our 2012 Sponsors and Supporters GOLD SPONSORS Accounting Therapy Apex Roofing Attwood Electric Capable Transport Courselle Plumbing Donut Den EmbroidMe Green Hills Rebecca Gramstrup Hannon Electric PPC Air Sharp Treatment of South Bay Taco Man PLATINUM SPONSORS America s Trophy Dr, Trotter Dr. Legrelius Skypark Family Care Iten s Car Care Red Car Brewery Simply Tiles Southern California Tree & Landscape Torrance Police Officers Association Zorn Productions RLL SUPPORTERS Torrance Batting Cages Osborn Automotive Hollywood Riviera Sportsman Club
What Makes a Nightmare Sports Parent With the start of the 2012 season it s a good time to reflect on how as parents we are encouraging our kids in sports. This article was excerpted from The Post Game by Steve Henson. The full article can be accessed on Yahoo Sports at the web address below. http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/more-family-fun/201202/what-makes-nightmare-sports-parent Hundreds of college athletes were surveyed What is your worst memory from playing youth sports? Their overwhelming response The car ride home with my parents. These same athletes were also asked, What did your parents say that made you feel great? The usual response: I just love watching you play. Two longtime coaches, Bruce E. Brown and Rob Miller, of Proactive Coaching LLC., conducted this informal survey over 30 years and now speak at colleges, high schools, and youth leagues to help parents avoid being their child s nightmare. It s true, the majority of parents make rides home from games miserable for our children but it is done inadvertently. These are good parents, well intentioned and just trying to be helpful. But according to Brown, whether they win or lose, kids desire distance. They make a rapid transition from athlete back to child. And they d like their parents to transition from spectator or pseudo coach back to mom and dad. ASAP. Brown s research explains why young athletes tend to enjoy grandparents watching them. "Overall, grandparents are content to simply enjoy watching the child participate," he says. "Kids recognize that." So, the best thing a parent can do after a game or practice is talk about anything else on the way home. Let your child bring up the game if he or she wishes and you can offer some advice then. Otherwise, let it go and just say I loved watching you play today.
What Makes a Nightmare Sports Parent Cont. FIVE SIGNS OF A NIGHTMARE SPORTS PARENT Emphasize sports at the expense of sportsmanship: Acting upset during a game always sends a bad message. Be encouraging - especially when things aren t going well on the field. Have different goals than your child: Kids want to have fun, be with their friends, improve their skills and win. Parents who want the big scholarship or making All-Stars probably should adjust their mindset. Treat your child differently after a loss than a win: Brown states Many young athletes say after game conversations with their parents sometimes made them feel their value as a person was tied to playing time or winning. Think about it. Second guess the coach or officials: Young athletes need a single instructional voice during games and that voice has to be the coach. Parents who verbally undermine the coach or officials makes young athletes feel bad and sends a mixed message. Live your own dreams through your child: Remind yourself that it s not your career and you have zero control over the outcome. FIVE SIGNS YOU ARE AN IDEAL SPORTS PARENT Cheer everybody on the team, not just your child: Go to as many games as possible and be supportive. Be especially positive when the team is struggling. Model good behavior: When a parent projects poise, control and confidence, your young athlete will too. Don t dwell on a tough loss it will be greatly appreciated. Know what is suitable to discuss with the coach: Mental and physical treatment of your child is absolutely appropriate as is seeking advice on how your child can improve. Taboo topics: Playing time, team strategy, and discussing team members other than your child. Know your role: Everyone at a game is a player, a coach, an official or a spectator. Choose one role and act appropriately. Be a good listener and your player s biggest fan: If your child chooses to, let him bring the game to you, and then listen attentively. And never be sparing with those magic words: "I just love watching you play."
Dear Riviera Little League Families, Primary Business Address Address Line 2 Each week RLL puts out The Diamond Dust. The Diamond Dust is available at the Snack Shack on Saturdays and for download on the RLL web site in full color. In order to produce the newsletter each week I need your help. I am looking for article and picture submissions. Without your help I can not produce The Diamond Dust. We re on the Web! Www.rivieralittleleague.org Please email me pictures of games your watching. It s a great way to get YOUR team into The Diamond Dust. Good articles include great games, team events and other RLL activities. Remember when writing articles to keep them in the spirit of Riviera Little League. Articles about games should be positive and include information about both teams. We may edit submissions for content and length or reject inappropriate articles. Please send your submissions, pictures, and suggestions. The deadline is each week on Thursday by noon to be included in that weeks Diamond Dust. Thanks for your time and help! Kirk Adams sixadams1@yahoo.com Stump the Ump (Answer) Situation: False. Rule 2.00 A Strike (e). The old myth that the hands are part of the bat. The batter was swinging so it is called a strike and the ball is dead and the batter is out on strike three.