2016 Mid-Season BBQ

PORT ARTHUR NATIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE

MID SEASON BBQ

SATURDAY, JUNE 18,2016

By this time, our annual "WIND UP DAY" is over and we hope everyone who attended the day had a great time. As mentioned in a previous email, we usually hold our wind up day at the end of June but due to unforeseen circumstances, we decided to hold a MID SEASON BBQ!  We expect to return to our usual end of June date for our 2017 season.  

A great time was had by all the players, coaches and parents that took part in our mid season fun day at George Burke Park. Our T-Ball and Coach Pitch players participated in a variety of fun events that tested their throwing, catching, running and accuracy skills. Team photos were also taken by Patrick O'Neill and they will be distributed to players by their coaches at a future date. After their skills event they all enjoyed jumping in the inflatable Jumping Castle and had an opportunity "sink" several coaches who graciously took the plunge as kids took a turn at trying to DUNK THE COACH EVENT. Lunch was also on the agenda as all our players, coaches and parents enjoyed their lunch provided by the league and BARBEQUED by John and Carolyn at our concession area. Many thanks to Caroline and John for their efforts during this event and throughout the baseball season. After lunch the coaches distributed player gifts that were purchased by the league. Many thanks to Dave Mack, and Crystal Edwards who planned and coordinated the events and although Crystal was not able to attend the event, those who filled in for her did an exceptional job. To our many coaches and parents who helped run the skill stations and ensured that the kids truly had a great day, thank you. If I were to judge from the smiles on children's faces, I would have to say that the day was a tremendous success! In fact, I would describe it as OUTSTANDING. Thanks also to Danny Nucci who arranged for the Jumping Castle and the Dunk tank events and those who ran the event. 

The minor and major events planned and coordinated by Clint Weiss, Jason Hart and Mike Fonso were also well attended and again all players enjoyed the activities. In the minor division players took part in a HOME RUN DERBY, which was a big hit. In both divisions players participated in the fastest to first base event, fastest player to run the bases, accuracy throws and the hardest throw event that was measured by a radar gun! Lunch was provided and player gifts distributed. Again thanks to the convenors, coaches and parents that orchestrated the minor and major events. 

The Junior division events planned and coordinated by our junior convenor, Karen Baker was also a fun filled day for our teenagers!!! I spoke to several players that took part in the family games and they all said they had fun. I think what they enjoyed most was seeing coaches and parents STRAINING to catch, hit and throw!!! Again thanks to all teams, coaches and parents that took part in the FAMILY FUN GAMES.  Many thanks to those parents who showed up and showed their sons and daughters how to play the game. Hopefully, all those straining muscles have subsided and are no longer crying out in PAIN! Again players and coaches were treated to lunch and were given their league gift.  

This year, our senior division coordinated by Gaetan fournier chose to hold their quarter final games during our MID SEASON FUN DAY.  They then enjoyed their lunch and were provided with their league gift.  Thanks to Gaetan, for his many contributions to the senior division. 

Thanks also to the man that keeps our playing fields in immaculate shape, Ed Aleksiejan. His skills and knowledge of field maintenance and in fact all things baseball is not often mentioned or appreciated, however, it is all due to Ed that we have WELL GROOMED AND SAFE PLAYING FIELDS WHICH IS HIS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. Without his tireless effort our players would all be playing on sub par fields, so players, parents and coaches, the next time you see Ed, thank him for all he does for Port Arthur National Little League. 

On behalf of Sandy Frost, our President, Danny Nucci, Dave Mack, our two Vice Presidents and the entire Board, thanks to all our members (players, parents, coaches) and a SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR MANY SPONSORS WHO GRACIOUSLY SUPPORT OUR LEAGUE, BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY  WHO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR YOUTH.