New Player Registration this Saturday 10:00am-1:00pm

New player sign-up is this Saturday (Jan. 30th.). For the younger leagues this is your one and only chance to register. Rookie, Junior, and Minor will fill up very quickly. Starting at six o'clock in the morning, WPPA representatives will pass out wrist bands to people in line. A wrist band does NOT guarantee your child will get in the league, but it does hold your place in line so you can go home until 9:00-9:30. Because of the large number of returning players, the number of open spots in the younger leagues is very small. The WPPA does everything it can to help the people who want their children to play, but it can only accommodate a limited number new players.

The WPPA's Mount Rushmore

In its twenty year existence, the WPPA has had four presidents. They are (from left): Gene Sims, founder and president first six year; Andy Lowenthal, current president; Jim Price, 3rd president for four years, and Max Griffin, 2nd president for eight years. All three of the former president at still active in program.

Welles Park Youth Baseball Registration January 23rd and 30th

Even though the fields are covered with snow and the temperatures are below freezing, it is time to start planning for Welles Park baseball. A couple of things have changed this year; there is on-line registration for all returning players and the registration dates have been moved up a week.

The following information is from the Welles Park Parents Association's website, wppabaseball.com. Please visit the WPPA website for complete information on registration.

Returning Player Only Registration:

On-line registration begins Saturday, January 16th and ends January 27th. This is only for returning players, all new players must register in person.

In-person registration for returning players is January 23rd and 30th from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Welles Park Fieldhouse, 2333 W. Sunnyside.

Returning players are guaranteed a spot only if the register on January 23rd or on-line.

New Player Registration:

No on-line registration.

In-person registration is January 30th from 10:am to 1:00pm at the Welles Park Fieldhouse, 2333 W. Sunnyside.

Because of the demand for the limited spots available, people line-up very early. WPPA Board states it will distribute wristbands at 6:00am to all people in the order they are in line. After receiving a wristband, you may leave and return around 9:15am and get in line in order of your wristband number. Having a wristband DOES NOT guarantee your child will get into the league.

For me, the WPPA sign-up always signals the begining of the end of winter. It make me happy to see fellow coaches, parents, and of course, the kids for first time since the season-ending picnic.