Dear Friends,

We are very grateful for your interest in being a Challenger buddy for the 2007 season. It is impossible to overemphasize the importance of each buddy’s role in our program. The Challenger athletes look to their buddies for guidance, assistance, protection, instruction, encouragement, and friendship. In many cases, the quality and consistency of this relationship makes the defining difference in a Challenger athlete’s feelings of success and enjoyment of the season.

Because of the importance of these relationships, we are looking for persons whose schedule and commitment make it possible for them to make the Challenger Division and its athletes a priority.  We would like for our Challenger buddies to be “league age 12 or older” with the ability to consistently catch a baseball in order to protect our Challenger athletes. If you are not “league age 12 or older”, but would like to volunteer as a Challenger buddy, contact CLL’s VP-Challenger Division for consideration.

The Spring 2007 Challenger schedule has not been finalized as yet, but you can expect practices for the Challenger athletes to begin on Saturday’s in mid-February. Preseason practices provide an excellent opportunity for you to learn to know your athlete and his or her family. For this reason, your attendance is strongly encouraged. CLL’s Opening Ceremonies will take place on Saturday, February 24 and games will begin on Saturday, March 3. We anticipate that Challenger games will be played on Saturday mornings.

A training session for buddies will be held in January or early February at the Celebration K-8 School Fields. The focus on the training will be on ways of assisting and protecting athletes during specific game situations. All buddies are encouraged to participate, but attendance is especially critical for volunteers who will be serving as buddies for the first time. Buddy assignments will be announced at this meeting.

As you can imagine, securing buddies for all our athletes is a huge job. Please help us by responding to the following requests no later than January 15, 2007 .

  *INDICATE YOUR INTEREST IN BEING A CHALLENGER BUDDY*

If you would like to volunteer as a Challenger buddy for the Spring 2007 season, email Kathy Whitmire, CLL’s VP-Challenger Division at cllchallengerdivision@yahoo.com indicating your interest in serving as a Challenger buddy. Please include your name, phone number, email address, and t-shirt size. If you are unable to be a full-time buddy, but are willing to be on the substitute list, please let Kathy know of this interest and the dates you are available.

*COMPLETE A LITTLE LEAGUE VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Because of legal requirements for child protection, all Little League volunteers age 16 or older must complete a Volunteer Application so we can conduct a background check. This form must be completed and mailed to Celebration Little League, P.O. Box 470094 , Celebration, FL 34747. A copy of your driver’s license or other government-issued picture ID must be attached to the application.

We look forward to a great season together! Feel free to contact Kathy Whitmire, CLL VP-Challenger Division, at 321-939-1858 or email cllchallengerdivision@yahoo.com if you have questions.