Over the past couple of years, TSLL has seen a real growth in the interest of Juniors. Most players and parents think that little league ends after the players turn 12. The reality is there is more baseball still to be played. The following Q&A addresses some of the most commonly asked questions about Juniors followed by quotes from Dad’s involved in Spring Baseball
A full list of questions and answers can be found after the jump.
Q & A Juniors:
Q: Can I play in Juniors if I play in Club, Middle School or High School?
A: Yes … definitely! This league has minimal conflicts with the Middle School Seasons. High School Freshman can join after the High School season ends. This is also a time when Club teams wind down for the summer … so is an excellent way to keep your skills in tune during the slow season for Club Teams. … but sign up during regular Little League Registrations to reserve a spot! It’s a great value! The regular season starts in mid-April and ends around late-June.
Q: How is the level of competition in District 13 Juniors?
A: It does vary … but generally speaking the level of play is very good. It would compare to Middle School competition level. Our two 2010 TSLL regular season Junior teams had respectable records in 2010 … finishing just above at or just below .500. The teams from Chandler National and Guadalupe were the best teams in the League.
Q: Where do the Juniors play?
A: One of the great benefits of playing Juniors are the facilities. Most of the games are played at the Tempe Diablo Stadium Complex located near I-10 and Broadway Road. This is the same facility used by the Anaheim Angels Major and Minor league teams during Spring Training. The fields are fantastic and totally maintained by the City of Tempe via a contract with the Angels. We just show up and play baseball !!! It is awesome. One of the major highlights is a guarantee to play at least one game INSIDE TEMPE DIABLO STADIUM … the big major league field. There are also some games played at the West Chandler and Chandler Snedigar Park facilities. These too are very nice fields. Tempe South Juniors practices varied from reserving fields at Diablo to walking on local Middle School fields or other available 90 ft fields.
Q: Do the Juniors get uniforms?
A: Yes … in fact we let the boys choose the team names. In 2010 we selected from official MLB Minor League Team names. The boys chose the team names after we assigned the teams. We had two teams in 2010 … the Diamond Jaxx and Defenders. Here is what one player said about it… “Our uniforms are so cool! The other teams keep asking us where we got the names. I like that we got to pick our own team names. Next year I want to be on the LugNuts or Mudhens! I think that would be even cooler.”
Q: Is there a District 13 All Star Tournament for Juniors?
A: Yes … In 2009 Tempe South actually put together an All Star Team from our two participating League teams. TSLL made it to the final 3 teams. Tempe South lost its first game versus Guadalupe … then went on to eliminate Ahwatukee and Rio … to make it to final 3 teams remaining. We did lose to Guadalupe LL in the Semi Finals. They went on to play the Champions from Chandler National. There were 6 teams in the Juniors All Stars. Here is how they finished … 1st CNLL, 2nd Guad LL, 3rd Tempe South LL , 4th Rio Salado, 5th CALL, 6th ALL. It was a fun time for all involved.
… A quote from 2010 Tempe South Dad
“I wasn’t sure about my son playing Juniors … because he had played Club and Middle School ball. I didn’t think the level of competition would be that good for him because he was used to playing at a very competitive level. This District 13 Juniors was very competitive league and was ideal preparation for High School. 90 ft bases with great facilities that were top notch. (Anaheim Angels Major League Facilities at Diablo)
The best thing about it … my son was able to play some positions that he never played in Club … like catcher, pitcher, 1st base and middle infield. It was a fantastic experience and he really loved playing in Tempe South Juniors. Best of all … I saw my son having a lot of fun without the “pressure” he experienced in Club baseball. I would recommend it to anyone looking to play in late Spring through 4th of July timeframe.
The kicker … they let me be a coach on the bench and bases … something I never experienced before. I was glad to help and it was memorable father/son experience for both of us.”
