Message from the CSLL President
01 January 2024
Dear Colorado Springs Little League Parents & Players,
With our 2024 Baseball & Softball seasons quickly approaching, I wanted to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the entire Board of Directors to our returning families, as well as to all new families to our League and our community.
At a time when children have many sports and activities to choose from, we are thrilled that a large number of boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 16 have chosen to play baseball or softball in CSLL. CSLL is an official little league organization. We are the longest running little league program in Southern Colorado and have served the community for years by providing a positive environment for the development of sportsmanship, character, and athletic skill among our baseball and softball youth. Our program puts the kids first with an emphasis on fundamentals, participation, development, teamwork, safety, family involvement, and fun, all while developing an appreciation and love for the game. As a parent myself, I know what a thrill it is to see your child play for the first time and watch them grow and improve through the years. These are memories that we will all cherish and I am pleased that you too will enjoy watching your children learn and grow as part of the CSLL family.
The Board is constantly working to improve our league and make it the best it can be for the kids in our community. As such, one of our goals is to always improve on communication, and with that in mind, hopefully this welcome letter will address questions we have received about upcoming changes for 2024, the league, financials, and volunteer commitments.
Board Membership
First, I would like to welcome our newest Board Members to the team. These individuals will continue the precedence of professionalism and excellence. I applaud all of our Board Members for the time they have given so freely and the sacrifices each of them has made to help make CSLL one of the best, well-respected youth baseball/softball leagues in Southern Colorado. The sacrifices of everyone’s time and efforts, including your unwavering dedication to this league, are greatly appreciated.
Board Positions
Do you want to get your feet wet and be more involved with our League? Help make our League even better and show your support? Would you like to be involved and be part of the Board? There are some positions, please let us know if you would like to assist in the running of our great League. We welcome everyone, as it is our volunteers that make us such a great League and the more members we have will be paramount to the strength of our League. Please contact me at [email protected] if you are interested.
Why do I have to volunteer?
Colorado Springs Little League is 100% self-funded and 100% run by volunteers. None of the board members, managers, or other volunteers receive any compensation for their countless hours of work. It is our volunteers that make our League great and we call upon everyone to help out. Volunteering your time only goes to further the betterment of the players within our League, so please don’t be shy -- just ask any Board member or coach, “How can I help?”, as help comes in many forms, from very small roles to much larger ones. No matter how you volunteer, I am confident you will find it is one of the most satisfying things you can do for your kids.
Our income comes entirely from registration fees and sponsorships. Our expenses include uniforms, equipment (catchers gear, baseballs, etc), umpire fees, taxes & insurance, fields & field maintenance, and miscellaneous expenses (accounting ledger, ads/marketing, fun events, equipment storage, etc). So it comes down to our parents, board members, volunteers, and sponsors to put in the effort, like those in the past, to continue to be fiscally responsible for the league.
How can you help?
SPONSORSHIPS
We are always looking for sponsors to help bridge the gap in funding from registration income. The only way to keep our registration fees among the lowest in the area is with our great sponsors. Do you know a local business owner who is interested in supporting their community and/or our players within the League? What about a restaurant your family visits regularly, a salon you have been visiting for years, a local mechanic, realtor, or that contractor/repair man you recommend to all of your neighbors?
Contact our Sponsorship Director ([email protected]) or pass this email address along to anyone who may be interested in becoming a sponsor.
VOLUNTEER
CSLL would not exist without volunteers. It takes good people throughout this area to make this League work and come together. Please consider becoming part of the team and volunteer when and where you can. Lend a hand and get involved. It truly takes a community. We just ask that you have a heart for kids and are open-minded and have a good perspective on what we are trying to accomplish. We are extremely grateful to the parents who take on additional volunteer jobs beyond these commitments.
Volunteering saves us money, especially for jobs that we otherwise need to pay for (umpires, repair services, etc). Have time and want to help, but not sure how? Please contact [email protected]
Additional Information
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY
I ask that you please refer to the Zero Tolerance Policy for details on what will not be tolerated in this League:
https://www.coloradospringslittleleague.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1023537
24-HOUR RULE
Feedback, issues, and complaints can be filed with any Board Member by using our email addresses on the About Us section of the website. Our League follows the 24-hour rule when responding to complaints. Unless it is a matter of safety or endangerment to a child, the situation will not be responded to until 24 hours have passed. Oftentimes emotionally charged emails, social media posts, etc are sent out. This cool-down period will allow us all to act and communicate in a more reasonable manner.
DIGITAL COMMUNICATION ETIQUETTE
We are in a time where social media and email have allowed us an immediate line of communication with the league and its members. Please treat everyone with dignity and respect. If there is a topic or situation you are confused about then we will get the right Board Member in contact with you to discuss further.
Closing
Our League is truly a one-of-a-kind place to make and share memories with kids, families, and friends. I am constantly reminded by members of this great community of the numerous memories and friendships that have been created in and around Little League. It is the commitment by the members of this community that has made CSLL one of the best places for our youth to learn and play baseball and softball.
We are set for another fun and exciting fall season and there is no better place for a family to watch a game. Your children will always remember their time and experiences at CSLL and I look forward to seeing you all out there on the field or in the bleachers being a part of COLORADO SPRINGS LITTLE LEAGUE!!!
Sincerely,
//SIGNED//
Jon Duncan
President
Colorado Springs Little League
[email protected]