Keep Baseball in Norristown

I have to admit, I'm not big into sports, unless you count bocce or Wii tennis. But one sport I've loved since I was a kid is baseball. Even that comes with reservations--as far as major league goes, if the Phillies aren't playing, I could care less about the game.

Still, when I was growing up, we played baseball in our alley every nice summer day. Back then, girls weren't allowed on the Little League teams. Their loss. I was a great pitcher and shortstop. Our side of the alley (all public school kids) always beat the Catholic school kids on the other side.

The Times Herald reported today that new Little League rules give parents the option the option of signing their kids up to play either on the teams where they live OR the teams where their kids go to school. This means Norristown students who'd normally play on Norristown teams have the option of moving to East or West Norriton teams if they go to a school located in those townships. Or if they go to a parochial or private school, they could also leave Norristown teams.

Last season Norristown Little League had about 200 kids participating. We've got really nice playing fields at Elmwood Park. We've got REALLY great, dedicated coaches, organizers and volunteers. We're Norristown--I guarantee you we've got more town pride than those other townships. And I KNOW we've got great student athletes in town.

So if you know school-aged kids who like sports, encourage them to join Norristown Little League this year. Let's make sure Norristown doesn't lose its teams.

Norristown Little League will be holding its annual open registrations for baseball and softball at Eisenhower Middle School from 6 to 7:30 pm every Monday through February 24th. Registration will also be held at the Elmwood Park Bandshell on the February 22nd from 10 am to 2 pm.

They have teams for every kid, ages 4 to 14 for baseball, 6 to 14 for softball, and even a Big League division for anyone ages 15-89.

Online Registration now open at www.norristownlittleleague.com . For more information on divisions, fees, and discounts, visit the website or contact Bill Plichta at 610-270-0467 (wplichta@norristown.org) or Carmen Ronca at 484-358-6650 (carmenronca617@gmail.com).

One month to spring training! Go Phils. And go Norristown Little League.