Essexville-Hampton Little League fields stand ready for the state tournament. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) Essexville-Hampton Little League Hosting Major Girls State Softball Tourney
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For years, EHLL has lobbied for the Major Girls State Softball Tournament.
This is the eleven and twelve year old division that Little League is most known for. Over the years, the folks at EHLL have put together an impressive program that is revered across the state producing five State titles, two Central Region titles and two trips to the Little League World Series.
This year, EHLL gets to show off their first rate complex as they host the Major Girls State Softball Tournament with the Opening Ceremony and pool play starting at 9:00 am Thursday, July 11, 2013.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The complex is located behind Verellen Elementary School on Borton Ave. just west of Knight Road. It supports two boys' baseball fields and two girls' softball fields as well as a coach pitch field and two practice fields. There are two sets of batting cages to go along with a pavilion and concession stand. All of this is the result of tremendous community support from both businesses and volunteers over the years.
This year the league dialed their complex up a few notches with the renovations of the girls' fields, namely the dugouts and backstops including the safety netting that extends around the back of the field. Scoreboard upgrades for all fields has also been part of the project.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
But upgrading and maintaining these fields comes from visions of the board, tireless efforts from volunteers and huge community support. A big boost to this year's dugout and backstop project started with Girls League Vice President Steve Savage.
Savage bought the cement blocks from VanPoppelen Brothers then donated them to the league which has provided a beautiful stadium feel. Essroc and R&R Ready Mix stepped up to provide the mortar and cement. The Essexville Knights of Columbus and Lions Club, both also long time team sponsors and EHLL supporters made cash donations. Then GM Adamowski Excavating, Lee Wood and Duralast stepped forward to make additional donations of supplies and services to help bring it all together.
Also helping in the overall project, slated to be completed in 2017, is a grant from the Bay Area Community Foundation.
All this contribution and effort would go for naught if it wasn't for the tireless and late night effort of board members and volunteers. Volunteers spend many, and I mean many late nights at the field not only coaching the girls but making sure the fields are maintained and the work on the projects are done. Construction of the dugouts began in August of 2012 with work continuing into September and beyond.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
A bonus to this year's opening ceremonies is the remembering and introduction of the 2004 EHLL Major Girls State Championship team. This team went on to win the Central Region title in Joplin, Missouri before embarking to the Little League World Series in Portland, Oregon where they placed fifth in the world. Two members from that team will toss out and catch the ceremonial first pitch to this year's state tournament.
Following the 9:00 AM Opening Ceremonies, pool play will begin. Little League rules only allow a major team to play one game a day so full pool play continues on Friday and Saturday beginning at 9 AM. The top two finishers in each pool will play in the quarter finals starting Sunday at Noon with semi-finals at 5 pm on Monday. The State Championship game is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 pm. Come to the EHLL field and watch some of the best eleven and twelve year old talent in the state compete to reach a dream!
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John Keuvelaar |
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