New Mexico District 5 Little League

Click on the link above for Leagues to find individual information for 2008 registration.

Wow! What a great way to start the New Year! Two-time Olympian Michele Smith will be conducting an EXCLUSIVE clinic for Little League Softball Managers and Coaches on Sunday, February 10, 2008. The clinic will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. at Eldorado High School Gymnasium (corner of Juan Tabo and Montgomery). Cost is $25 per person. You can pre-register by sending a check payable to District 5 Little League and mailing it to 12400 Loyola NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112. Please indicate your league affiliation. We don’t often get athletes of this level in New Mexico and especially at such a reasonable cost. Please take time to join us on this Sunday afternoon to participate in a great program.

As summer heats up and regular season comes to an end, a lot of us have only one thing on our minds … All-Stars! The culmination of a successful season can lead many Little Leaguers to their ultimate goal of playing America’s favorite past time in Little League heaven, or Williamsport, Pennsylvania as most people know it. But to the rest of us who work hard and play hard as either a volunteer, a coach, or a player and don’t make it to All-Stars; simply enjoying the time with our friends and family is all we need to carry us through the summer.

I can remember my Little League days like they were yesterday. It was 1994 and I was 12 years old. Not a care in the world except for getting good grades in school and playing the game that most of us love. I remember the searing summer heat of New Mexico and the occasional downpour of rain that would cool off the days just enough to keep playing one more out, one more inning, or one more game. I always wanted to make the All-star team as a 12 year old and I remember the anticipation, hope, and the disappointment of not making the team time and time again. Yes, I was sad and disappointed, but sometimes I was glad I didn’t make the team because I don’t think I could have dealt with the pressure, stress, and demand that many Little Leaguers go through just to win. Most summers, I just wanted to spend time with my friends and perhaps follow my Leagues’ team to the Western Regional tournament in San Bernardino, California.

Looking back on the summer of 1994 now, I don’t remember much. I don’t remember which of my friends and teammates made the All-Star team, I don’t remember which League won the District tournament or even which team won the Little League World Series. But one thing I do remember was the inspiration, hope, and life of one Albuquerque Little Leaguer. Many people knew him as Ambrose, but the fortunate enough people who got to follow him around like he was a celebrity, just long enough to play a little home run derby on the pee-wee field, had the privilege of calling him ‘Brose.

When Ambrose Alday first came to Albuquerque, he played at Mile High Little League where he excelled at baseball and went on to make the All-Star team. Later, he would move into Road Runner Little League’s boundaries and would shine as both a player and a person as he would continue to make All-Star teams and help win District and State tournaments. But for this young man, his heart and love of the game would take him farther than any Little League World Series and farther in strength and love for his friends and team than most of us will ever go in our lifetime.

In January of 2006, a testament to Ambrose’s strength and love was portrayed in a true-life story, Summer’s Stars by JW Cronican. This inspirational story of Ambrose’s 13, 14, and 15 yr old All-Star season as well as his short High School baseball career reminds us why we really play the game. The story reminds us that Little League isn’t just about making it to Williamsport for the “Big Game” or about the banners or trophies or any amount of fame any one child or coach may see. Ambrose reminds us that baseball (and life) is about friendship, family, the love of the game, and life’s little lessons no matter how hard they may be. He reminds us that our own personal happiness or success isn’t always the most important thing. And he reminds us how personal strength, selflessness, and sacrifice can lead to success in many areas of life.

So before All-Stars start, before the politicking, before you feel the stress of winning District or State or Regional tournaments, before you get so consumed in winning and trying to get to the Little League World Series, and before you forget why you participate in Little League; pick up a copy of Summer’s Stars and discover what the love of the game is really about.

And when All-Stars come and you start to feel the pressure and stress, let us remember Ambrose and the real reasons why we pick up a ball and glove every season.

Congratulations to both Kraig Max and Renee Sedillo. Kraig and Renee have been selected to umpire in 2007 at post state tournaments.

Kraig, originally from Mile High, has been selected to umpire at the Senior Baseball Regional Tournament in Blytheville, Arkansas and also to umpire at the Senior Baseball World Series in Bangor, Maine. Kraig was formerly the Chief Umpire for District 5. Congratulations, Kraig. It is a great honor to be selected for these prestigious tournaments.

Renee, originally from Zia, has been selected to umpire at the Little League Regional Tournament in Waco, Texas. Congratulations, Renee. It is a great honor to be selected to the Regional Little League Tournament.

Beginning in 2007, we can all watch from the comfort of our living room as the championiship games from these tournaments will be televised on ESPN.

I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that two of “our guys” have been selected for these tournaments. If you consider how many umpires they have to choose from, it is a real testament to their skills that they have been selected. If you see them, please let them know how much they are appreciated. We all know that umpires have a thankless job.

January 9, 2007 will be the next D5 Presidents’ meeting. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. although the place is not finalized yet. Please check back often for that announcement. Each league is encouraged to be present as this will be the last meeting before player registrations the last Saturday of January and first Saturday of February. Lots to review before that time.

In case you haven’t been to the Little League International website, I would encourage you to visit it as well. The site is www.littleleague.org. There are lots of announcements that will be very beneficial to local leagues (see the ESPN announcement).

Save the Date!!! Friday evening, November 3, at 6 p.m. there will be a special meeting for District Administrators, staff, and league presidents at Roadrunner Little League in Albuquerque’s District 8. This session will be lead by Williamsport/Waco staff and will focus on Tournaments. Saturday, November 4, beginning at 8:30 a.m. we will conduct an all day seminar open to all members of boards of directors of leagues, as well as staff and District Administrators. Again, the day’s session will be conducted by Williamsport/Waco staff. The morning’s session will cover 2007 Rule Changes, pitch count and other pertinent information on operating a local league. After lunch (provided), there will be 3 breakout sessions–concessions, player agents, and safety. These focus groups will provide an opportunity to really delve into the nuts and bolts of these areas. We will then reconvene for a wrap up in a general session. Saturday’s session is at Grant Middle School, 1111 Easterday, NE, Albuquerque. Cost of the seminar is $30 per person. Checks should be payable to District 5 Little League and mailed to 12400 Loyola NE, Albuquerque 87112. Please sign up early so that we can plan appropriately for lunch! We will also invite a number of vendors to the event so that you can begin planning for Spring events. Corporate sponsors will also be in attendance.

For full Details View the Flyer Now!

Around 30 people gathered today at Roadrunner Little League to visit about softball in Districts 5, 8 and 9. Lots of ideas were shared and several subcommittees were formed. Committees will meet between now and November 14. The next general Softball meeting will be on Wednesday, November 15, at 6 p.m. at Roadrunner. Let’s keep the momentum moving.

Districts 5, 8, and 9 will come together on October 12, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. at Roadrunner Little League to discuss the overall softball program. All league presidents, softball player agents or other softball advocates are encouraged to attend. We will collectively review our current program and entertain ideas for improvement.

9-10 Baseball at Carlsbad Shorthorn Little League
D9 Enchantment 5, D5 Mile High 3
D8 Eastdale 4, D9 Enchantment 3   Eastdale State Champions