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The boys (and girls) of summer

Parkrose Little League teaches fundamentals of baseball and sportsmanship to 300 local kids - some whom go on to be winners at Parkrose and David Douglas High Schools

DARLENE VINSON
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

These Parkrose Little League 11 and 12 years olds on the Watson Plumbing team celebrate a 16-5 victory over an opponent from Wilshire Little League. Sharing in the fun are (in the back, from left) coach Chris Sochia, league president Jack O’Neal, and coaches Tim Church and Matt Fitzgerald.
MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN
Little Leagues are volunteer organizations. By their nature the leadership is transitory. Boys and girls from five to 18 are eligible to participate. Parents must become coaches, snack shack operators, umpires, sponsorship representatives and field maintenance experts. They are also called upon to run the business aspect of the league. As kids move on, so do their parents. Parents who have been the backbone of the organization but no longer have kids playing in the league retire. That situation can lead to a rudderless ship and that is where Parkrose Little League, or PLL, found itself a couple of years ago.

Up stepped Jack O’Neal, or Captain Jack, as he is affectionately called by players and parents alike. Under O’Neal’s leadership, PLL now has 23 teams ranging from T-ball for five and six year olds, to baseball for seven to 14 year olds, and softball for ages seven to 18 serving nearly 300 kids. Games are played most evenings and all day Saturday at Bob St. Aubin Stadium, Northeast 135th Avenue and East Burnside Street, as well as Knott Park, Northeast 114th Avenue and Knott Street and behind Sacramento Elementary School, 11400 N.E. Sacramento St.

PLL boasts a couple of championship teams. Last year, the Junior Girls Softball team won their District and State tournament titles on the way to third place in the Divisional tournament that included teams from Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii and Alaska. The Senior Girls Softball team took second at the State tournament after claiming the first place trophy at the District competition.

Success such as this is not possible without the support of the community. O’Neal noted that Edelen Custom Doors and Windows, 700 N.E. 102nd Ave, donated new windows for the concession stand and stadium announcers booth, Touchstone Mortgage, 10626 N.E. Glisan St., made a generous cash contribution and Gresham Paving of Troutdale provided asphalt work. He continues to recruit volunteers to umpire, help with fieldwork, operate the snack shack, paint and make repairs on the bleachers, or take a turn announcing a game.

Due in part to their successes in the year 2003, as well as to the energy of the parent volunteers, PLL will host a number of tournaments this year. On July 11 and 12, the league will welcome 11 and 12 year olds for the Major Baseball District 1 championships. By virtue of their state title, the Junior Girls Softball team will play host to the 2003 State Tournament on July 20, and on July 25 Senior Girls Softball teams representing the West Division will descend on Bob St. Aubin Stadium.

The success of Little League teams and their players and coaches often trickle-up as players advance. Case in point: the current Parkrose High School Varsity Baseball Team. The boys, many of them ‘graduates’ of PLL, began their season with a 7 win, 1 loss record which put them atop the Mount Hood Conference standings at press time (see details in MEMO Pad, page 7). You will find a schedule of their games on page 19 of this issue of the MEMO. The players and coaches will welcome your support.

To get involved with PLL, whether to cheer on your favorite player or lend a helping hand, contact Jack O’Neal at 503-253-5184 or j.oneal@comcast.net.

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