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Registration open for 2015 Little League Summer Program

Parents looking for something to keep the youngsters occupied during the summer months are invited to sign them up for the 2015 Summer Little League Program, hosted by the American Samoa Baseball Association (ASBA), in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).

 

The program is open to all youngsters — boys and girls — between 5 and 16 years old.

 

Interested parents are required to bring with them a completed registration form and a copy of their child’s birth certificate.

 

Over a telephone interview with the Samoa News yesterday morning, ASBA president Victor Langkilde explained that registration will be open for two weeks, “so everyone can get a chance to sign up and participate.”

 

He said the goal is to place anywhere between 14-16 kids maximum, per team, so everyone can get a lot of playing time.

 

The total number of teams fluctuates and a set number is not yet available, although Langkilde shared that last year, close to 300 kids took part in the Summer Little League action.

 

“We’re always hitting the 200+ mark during the summer months so we anticipate that the number of participants this year will be high,” said the ASBA president.

 

As of  earlier this week, close to 20 kids had already signed up.

 

A set date of when the official opening will take place is not yet known. Langkilde said the opening ceremony is dependent on the Dept. of Parks and Recreation, which is believed to be planning a grand ceremony that will kick off all the summer sports programs - not just Little League.

 

Langkilde said all little league games will be held at the Tony Sola’ita Baseball Field in Tafuna.

 

“We do have one team from the east side, composed of kids from the Fagaloa districts, that we want to focus on,” Langkilde said.

 

“We really want to do more for them, providing assistance as far as equipment and facilities. Being from the east side is a challenge, not only because of the distance they have to travel for the games, but the lack of the proper facilities for them to utilize,” Langkilde explained.

 

He said it is their hope to have an assigned facility, as the east siders are limited to Onesosopo Park, Fagaalu Park, and the outer area of the FIFA soccer field in Pago Pago— none of which are designated baseball fields.

 

Last year, according to Langkilde, the turnout for the Little League Summer Program was “really good”, as they were able to provide services for all divisions: t-ball, minor and major leagues, as well as a softball competition which was held in collaboration with the American Samoa Softball Association.

 

More information on the 2015 Little League Summer Program can be obtained by calling 699-9513 or 770-5877.