02/06/2018
Dear Families,
We are writing to share some MAJOR NEWS: Savin Hill Little League and Cedar Grove Baseball are merging to form one baseball league for the kids in Dorchester – “Dorchester Baseball!”.
This is a major decision in the history of youth sports in Dorchester (fondly recalling Millstream Little League, Neponset Youth Hockey, Lower Mills Hockey), and one that we have carefully considered while keeping the best interests of the kids always at the forefront.
Here is some of the background to this decision, which has been discussed and suggested within the Dorchester baseball community going back 7 years! Now, fast forward to 2017....
In June of 2017, representatives from the Boards of both leagues began to talk about the future of baseball in Dorchester, initially focusing on how we can work together, which ultimately lead to the possibility of permanently merging the two leagues. Then, in the Fall of 2017, SHLL invited CGBB to play together in a travel baseball league that SHLL has been competing in for several years. The team rosters were split with kids and coaches from both leagues (new friendships!). Although the teams competed under the SHLL Little League charter, we used the name “Dorchester” and incorporated colors and emblems from both leagues on our uniforms. The experience went very well, and as officials from both leagues continued to meet over the winter months, it became clear that having one unified league serving all the players in Dorchester would offer the best experience for the kids.
The new league will operate under two charters, bringing forward two very important elements from SHLL and CGBB. Ages 4-12 will be chartered through Little League International. Ages 13+ will be chartered through Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth. While this decision necessarily involves no longer referring to ourselves as CGBB and SHLL, we expect to continue many of the sacred traditions that have made both leagues so special to the families, players and volunteers.
The reasons for this decision are many. The following are just a few examples of the benefits we expect from one unified league:
Greater sense of unity within the Dorchester community as we focus on providing kids from all different backgrounds and neighborhoods the chance to meet and make new friendships.
Increase in the number of playing divisions/levels during the Spring season, which will allow for kids to be more appropriately placed in divisions based on age and skill levels. This will help make the kids more comfortable, and more confident over time, as their skills benefit from more targeted, age -appropriate instruction from coaches.
Adult leadership will be able to more efficiently share resources and collaborate on fundraising, volunteer coordination, maintenance etc.
Sharing of knowledge and best practices from both leagues for the benefit of the kids.
Creation of stronger and more competitive summer travel teams, as well as the creation of more options for the local City League offerings.
Sharing of the best field caretaker around - “Charlie Curley Peterson”!
Together we will have more fun!
In closing, we know that this announcement may engender mixed emotions. We are excited about what comes next for baseball in Dorchester but we also want to acknowledge and appreciate all the good people of SHLL that have worked so tirelessly over many many years to help the kids of Dorchester get to know and love the game of baseball and to understand what it means to serve their community. We hope that the kids, parents, coaches and others involved in the league will look back fondly on the memories and friendships that were made as a part of SHLL while also looking forward to making new ones as players and volunteers of the new Dorchester Little League and Dorchester Babe Ruth.
Please be on the lookout for a registration email later this week. We also know that there will be many questions, and we are working on a FAQ tab on our new websites: DorchesterLittleLeague.org & DorchesterBabeRuth.org.
It truly has been an honor to serve on the board of such a great league. It is with a touch of sadness, yet immense hope and excitement that we are signing off one final time as officials of Savin Hill Little League. We will see all of you soon as members of Dorchester Little League and Dorchester Babe Ruth!
