Thursday, December 15, 2011

Reprinted from Center Square Journal

Welles Park Youth Baseball Gears Up For 22nd Season

Posted: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:14:56 +0000

WPPA baseball in Welles Park. Photo from WPPA.

Every spring over 1,100 kids between 5 and 18 grab a glove, bat and ball and hit the diamonds in Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave. The squads playing Abner Doubleday’s game are participating in the Welles Park Parent Association’s Youth Baseball League, one of the most popular in the city.

Registration for returning players begins January 3 and new players can sign up on January 14.

It all started, says WPPA board member and Registration Chair David Nemeroff, when the Chicago Park District cancelled its own youth baseball league. Since then, it’s grown more and more successful every year.

“Last year, says Nemeroff, “we had a waiting list of 250 to get in.” While WPPA doesn’t keep information on all the participating players, “We keep track of the waiting list and about 80% of the people were from the 47th Ward, a smattering from everywhere else. So we estimate 66-70% of our players come from the 47th Ward.”

Practices start in April. Games start to be played in May and are played through the month of July when playoffs are held.

Each team plays 14 games plus playoffs, which are single elimination with every team qualified to participate. Typically, says Nemeroff, teams play three or four games to get to the league world series, in the higher age groups they play a best of three in the world series. There’s also a consolution round, kind of like the National Invitational Tournament of youth baseball.

While the program hasn’t graduated any famous players, plenty of major leaguers’ offspring have played in the league, including the kids of former Cubs manager Dusty Baker and former Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot.

Most of the program is paid for by sponsorships, which run $550 per business to get a business’s name on a jersey. Think “Chico’s Bail Bonds” in The Bad News Bears, and you’ve got the idea.

The high number of sponsorships make it possible for the league to keep player fees down, says Nemeroff, so that players pay between $125 and $160 a season, depending on their age.

Both boys and girls play, and the league has a policy to place at least two girls on each team.

On January 3 registration for returning players opens online. If kids play one year and have a sibling, the league will guarantee a spot for both, so long as they register by January 13. On January 14, online pre-registration opens for new players.

“Once that closes we have a lottery system where we literally pick a number out of a hat to choose who gets priority to get in the league,” says Nemeroff. “At the 5-6 year old league, when people sign up they get a number and then we file that in chronological order.”

Friday, October 14, 2011

Lincoln Square Wine Stroll! November 3, 2011

Please join the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce as we transform the streets of the Lincoln Square Community into our very own "Wine Country." The Annual Spring and Fall Wine Strolls are one of the most popular events in the Square! While meandering through the business district you can expect to taste some great samples of seasonal wines, paired with delicious hors d'oeuvres at several different Lincoln Square establishments. These highly anticipated evenings of sipping refreshing wines are a great way to get more familiar with the businesses of Lincoln Square, while spending quality time with family and friends!

To stay up-to-date with the Lincoln Square Wine Strolls join the Wine Stroll Mailing List. Sign up through the "Sign Up" box on the right side of your browser.

*Fall Wine Stroll Tickets will go on sale Friday, October 14th at noon.

Buy tickets for Lincoln Square Fall Wine Stroll

2011 Fall Wine Stroll Details

Date: Thursday, November 3, 2011

Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: Various Lincoln Square Businesses

Price: $40 for one route, $60 for two routes

The Grape Route:

1. Bad Dog Tavern

4535 N. Lincoln Avenue

2. Bistro Campagne

4518 N. Lincoln Avenue

3. ENJOY, an urban general store

4723 N. Lincoln Avenue

4. Gene’s Sausage Shop

4750 N. Lincoln Avenue

5. Paciugo Gelato

2324 W. Giddings Street

6. Pizza D.O.C.

2251 W. Lawrence Avenue

7. Provenance Food & Wine

2312 W. Leland Avenue

8. Savvy Seconds & 1sts

4724 N. Lincoln Avenue

9. Steve Quick Jeweler

4710 N. Lincoln Avenue

The Vine Route:

1. Barba Yianni

4761 N. Lincoln Avenue

2. LM Restaurant

4539 N. Lincoln Avenue

3. Gene's Sausage Shop

4750 N. Lincoln Avenue

4. Granville Picture Framing at LSQ

4757 N. Lincoln Avenue

5. Pizza D.O.C.

2251 W. Lawrence Avenue

6. Planet Access Company Store

4727 N. Lincoln Avenue

7. Provenance Food & Wine

2312 W. Leland Avenue

8. Sacred Art

4619 N. Lincoln Avenue

9. Steve Quick Jeweler

4710 N. Lincoln Avenue

*Venues Subject to Change.

Halloween in Lincoln Square

Halloween Happenings

Bring the children out to Trick-or-Treat along the business districts of Lincoln Square. On Saturday, October 29th from 11am to 4pm participating businesses on Damen, Lincoln, Rockwell, and Western Avenues will provide candy or a small give away to area children.

In addition to trick or treating several other activities will occur at area businesses and within Giddings Plaza. Check below for complete details.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011

Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm

Location: N. Damen, N. Lincoln, N. Western, N. Rockwell

*Events subject to change.

Trick-or-Treat Participants

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Umpire Training Starts Wednesday March 2nd!

New and returning WPPA umpire training for 2011 will be conducted as follows:
Wednesday, March 2

Wednesday, March 9

Wednesday, March 16

Wednesday, March 23

All session will be begin promptly at 7:00pm and will end at 9:00pm. The sessions will be held at Amundsen High School Gymnasium, 5100 North Damen

The 2011 Umpire application can be found at
http://www.wppabaseball.com/images/docs/2011umpireapplication.pdf

Friday, January 21, 2011

Welles Park Youth Baseball Registration January 22nd and 29th

The Welles Park Youth Baseball program is holding their registration the next two Saturdays, Jan. 22nd and Jan. 29th. This Saturday's registration is ONLY for returning player. The second Saturday is for new players. Please go to their website for complete details. http://www.wppabaseball.com/

Welles Park Youth Baseball

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Lane Tech Baseball Coaches Hold Winter Break Clinic

Welles Park Youth Baseball Sign-up Soon