The Board of Park Commissioners sponsors the following organizations and programs. Please contact the individuals listed below for detailed information about their programs.

Longmeadow Softball Association www.longmeadowsoftball.org
The Longmeadow Softball Association, through the New England Youth Sports Association [NEYSA] offers the opportunity for girls from first to eighth grades to play in a program designed to teach the game of softball in a fun environment and eventually progress to an increasingly structured and competitive setting. For children in first and second grade, the program is in town and instructional, with a few games at the end of the season, focusing on basic skill set development.

Beyond second grade, children are evaluated to play on a travel team at U10, U12 and U14 age levels depending upon the year they were born and all will be placed on a team. Travel is to local communities in and around Longmeadow and families should expect the children to play one to two games per week for a total of 10-12 games per season. The season starts at the end of April with regular season play and ends with playoffs for those teams that are eligible. Team sizes will be between twelve and thirteen children. Games are structured with umpires and forfeit rules, so player attendance is critical.

All children who wish to play must attend evaluations; all children will be placed on a team based on their skill level, however once rosters are submitted to the league, additional players cannot be added, no exceptions. A copy of a birth certificate is required at registration. All children must attend an evaluation in March. No players accepted or refunds given after April 1st 2012. Register at the Community House on the following dates: Saturday, January 28 from 9am-12noon, Saturday, February 4 from 9am-12noon and Thursday, February 16from 7pm-9pm.

Contact Renee Broadbent: rbroadbent62@comcast.net

Longmeadow Baseball Association for Ages 7 through 19 www.longmeadowbaseball.net
Under the auspices of the Longmeadow Baseball Association, participants ages 7-19 may participate in this instructional baseball program with a major emphasis on skill development. Competition is age group appropriate. All coaches are NYSCA certified. New players to Longmeadow Baseball must show a CERTIFIED birth certificate at the time of registration to be eligible to play. Age as of April 30, 2012 will determine eligibility for all leagues. The LBA offers instructional program over the winter months at a local indoor baseball facility as well as two week pre-season camps for the Tri Town and Sandy Koufax Programs.

Ages 7 and 8 will play in the JLS U9 league. This league will play in Longmeadow and Forest Park on 60-foot diamonds with kids pitching.

Ages 9 – 12 play in the Tri-Town league. All 9 year olds and some 10 year olds will play on a travel team using a 60-foot diamond. The remaining 10 year olds and 11-12 year olds will play on travel teams using a 75- foot diamond. The seasons will continue into July. All teams will have a travel schedule with about half of the games played away from Longmeadow. All rosters will be limited to 13/14 players.

Ages 13-14 will play NEYSA Sandy Koufax or Tri-Town Sandy Koufax on a 90-foot diamond. The Tri-Town league will play from April through the end of the school year, NEYSA Sandy Koufax will be played from May through July. These leagues can include indoor winter practice, outdoor practice, scrimmages and tournaments that run Mid-March through the end of May. All rosters will be limited to 13/14 players.

High school players will be eligible to play Mickey Mantle or American Legion, based on try outs, after the high school season ends, in a 20 game season that will end in July. All rosters will be limited to 13/14 players.

Registration dates at the Community House are as follows: Saturday, Jan. 28th from 9am-12noon, Saturday, Feb 4th from 9am-12noon and Thursday, Feb. 16th from 7pm-9pm. Registrations can also be made starting on Feb. 6th in the Park and Recreation office. Late fees will be assessed after March 1, 2012.

The Longmeadow Baseball Association is committed to the active promotion and operation of a competitive youth athletic program while encouraging good sportsmanship, skill development, and appreciation for the game of baseball. For more information regarding the LBA, please visit our website: www.longmeadowbaseball.net and send any questions or inquiries to administrator@longmeadowbaseball.net

Longmeadow Girls’ Lacrosse Association (LGLA) for Girls in Grades 3 through 8 www.longmeadowgirlslax.com
This program runs from the end of March thru mid-June. Practices are instructional and competitive games are scheduled with other youth lacrosse programs in MA and CT. Parents are responsible for furnishing all mandatory equipment. Players need goggles, stick and mouth guard. Teams typically have 2-4 lacrosse events (games or practices) per week. This includes weekdays and/or weekends. Experienced and inexperienced players are welcome at all age levels.

The Bantam program is geared toward introducing 3rd & 4th Grade players, parents and coaches to the game of lacrosse. Instruction will focus on throwing, catching, cradling, passing, dodging and shooting as well as offense and defense. Games will be scheduled between our in-town Bantam as well as other towns within the local area. Players who are not yet in the Third Grade during the 2012 season are not eligible for the Bantam Program.

Parents are responsible for transportation to all away games (carpooling is recommended). Volunteer coaches are welcome at every level and will receive instruction from our experienced coaches! Rick Daigneault and Jim Fitzpatrick are the program coordinators. For more information, please visit www.longmeadowgirlslax.com.

Bantams: 3rd & 4th Grade Girls – Fee is $50
Juniors: 5th & 6th Grade Girls – Fee is $110
Seniors: 7th & 8th Grade Girls – Fee is $110

Registration is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2012 from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm and Saturday, January 21, 2012 from 9:30am-11:30 am at the Greenwood Senior Center. Registration forms can also be downloaded from our website and mailed directly to Jean Coyle at 63 Duxbury Lane in Longmeadow. Please do not submit the registration forms to the Community House.

There is a $25 late fee for all registrations received after Friday, February 25, 2012.

Please note that our program has grown tremendously and space is limited. We cannot guarantee that openings will exist for players who do not sign up by the February 25, 2011 deadline.

Jim Fitzpatrick and Rob Carey are the program coordinators. For more information, please visit www.longmeadowgirlslax.com. or contact Jim Fitzpatrick, 413.567.1765 longmeadowgirlslax@live.com

Longmeadow Little League Association for Ages 4-12 Eteamz.com/longmeadowll
Little League is the largest youth sports organization in the world and is governed by an international set of rules promoting the safety and well-being of the children participating. Longmeadow Little League is part of the Western Massachusetts Little League district that includes Agawam, Westfield, Northampton, Gateway, Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton and Southampton.

In 2011, Longmeadow Little League had approx., 400 participants between the ages of 4-12 participating in the league. The program is broken down into 5 divisions that emphasize teamwork, skill development and competitive play. Little League begins in April each year and runs through June with participants playing in town and during the month of July, selected teams travel and compete in regional tournaments with the opportunity to play in the Little League World Series.

Little League structure is as follows:
Majors – Emphasis on skills development and competition. Players in the Major division will participate in several tournaments held throughout the region. The age range is 10 thru 12 with select 9 year olds. Participants for the Majors is determined through tryouts. Coordinator for the Majors is Steve Schiffman, 413.374.7674, schiff143@aol.com.
AAA – Emphasis in this division is primarily a developmental program for the Majors. Players will focus on skill development and competition. Players from this division may be selected to play in regional tournaments. The age range for those in the AAA division is 9 thru 11 with select 7 & 8 year olds. AAA coordinator is Mike Quinlan, 413.759.3367, mquinlan@metlife.com.

AA – Participants in the AA league will experience live pitching and catching for the first time. Emphasis in AA includes bunting, base running, signs which are all part of the game of baseball. Focus in this division is on skill development and the majority of players are under 9 years of age. AA coordinator is Rob Harrington, 413.427.5918, rjharrington@bennettfranklin.com.

A – The purpose of this level is to begin the process of teaching the game of baseball, develop the skills necessary to play the game as well as introduce the children to the basic rules of the game. The players in A are primarily 6 & 7 years of age. Coordinator is Jerrold Duquette, 413.565.2125, jeroldduquette@comcast.net.

Tee Ball – The best place to begin playing baseball is in this division. Basic skills are emphasized along with fun which is essential to enjoy the sport of baseball. Players, ages 4, 5 & 6 who want to learn the game of baseball are invited to register for tee ball. Coordinator is Bill Moccio, 413.246.3205, bill@responsivetrucking.com.

Registration can take place by mail by visiting www.eteamz.com/longmeadowll. The registration form is available on the website and can be downloaded or can be obtained at the Community House. Parents can register their children at Greenwood Children’s Center on Saturday, January 21st , from 9am-12noon, Tuesday, February 7th from 7pm-9pm and Monday, February 27th from 7pm-9pm. After February 29th there will be a $20 late fee. For further information, please contact Steve Schiffman at schiff143@aol.com.

Longmeadow Youth Basketball Asso. www.longmeadowbasketball.org

Youth In-Town & Traveling Basketball Leagues – Sponsored, Grades 1 thru 8
Instructional program for girls and boys in Grades 1 thru 8. Everyone makes a team. Grades 1 & 2 meet Saturday mornings for one hour which includes 30 minutes of practice and 30 minute games. There will be free optional clinics offered weekly for this age group during the season to enhance skill and team play development.

Grades 3 & 4, 5 & 6 and 7 & 8 teams have one practice and one game weekly with referees at each game. Free, optional weekly clinics will also be offered to 3rd and 4th Grade participants. Program emphasizes basketball fundamentals and teamwork. Anyone interested in coaching should sign up during registration. Program runs mid-November through March with practices and games at Longmeadow School gyms.

Optional travel teams are available for players in Grades 3 thru 8 for an additional fee. Travel players are determined through an independent evaluation to be held in late October. More information will be available at registration nights.

Longmeadow Soccer Association www.longmeadowsoccer.com
This popular program, with over 900 participants last year will run from September through November. Kids in grades Preschool thru Grade 8 are eligible. In-town games are on Sunday afternoon with practices at the discretion of the coach. The optional travel involves try outs in the spring. Travel teams generally play on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but might have a game or two on a week night. Practices are at the discretion of the coach. Uniforms are provided for both in-town and travel.

More information is on our web site at www.LongmeadowSoccer.com.

Longmeadow Youth Football www.longmeadowfootball.org
Co-ed program for players entering 3rd-8th grade.
Participants are grouped by grade, age, skill, and experience levels with weight restrictions for certain positions. Pee Wee Program for 3rd & 4th Graders; Junior Program for 5th & 6th Graders; Senior Program for 7th & 8th Graders. Program emphasizes values, teamwork, and football fundamentals. All coaches are NYSCA certified! Starting in early August, pre-season practices are each weeknight from 6:00-8:00pm at LHS reducing to 3-4 days each week when school starts. Eight games played Saturdays or Sundays during September and October. Uniforms and equipment provided, but participants supply their own cleats and mouth guard.

Visit www.longmeadowfootball.org for additional information. Fee is $150, with a program to reduce program costs to those in need. Multiple players from the same family receive discounts. All new players and those who did not play last year are required to bring a copy of their birth certificate to leave at registration.

Longmeadow Youth Cheerleading www.longmeadowyouthcheer.squarespace.com

Girls who participated in the 2009 Fall Season are welcome to sign up for our Spring Cheerleading Program that will include performing once at a Springfield Falcons Hockey Game and performing a routine at Long Meddowe Days and going to watch a professional cheer competition. Returning Junior members will compete at a local Cheer Sports competition. New stunts and team  building night included in this program! New participants are welcome to register and preview what the Fall 2010 program will be like.  Fee includes t-shirt. Starting in February Junior girls will be required to pay $30 Cheer Sport fee. Junior members will begin practice the first Tuesday in January.  Pee Wees meet beginning in February.

Longmeadow Boys Lacrosse Association www.longmeadowlacrosse.com
Boys in Grades 3-8 are invited to participate. Practices are instructional and competitive games are scheduled with other youth lacrosse programs in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. The program runs from the end of March through the middle of June. Practices/games will be scheduled 3 to 4 nights per week plus some Saturdays and/or Sundays. All participants must furnish their own sticks and the program requires mandatory helmets and gloves. A limited supply of boy’s helmets ($20.00) may be rented through the Longmeadow Boys Lacrosse Association. Parents will be responsible for all other mandatory equipment, including mouth guards. Parents are also responsible for car-pooling to away games. Parent volunteers are also welcome.