It wasn’t the Suffield Little League (SLL) season anticipated by many, but it came together as one most will never forget. For Suffield LL, its Board, volunteers and families, that likely meant no season at Christian Field for the first time since games started there in 1956. Fortunately, the Board, under the leadership of Bill Baril, was never in the position to cancel the season, just that we would all have to wait.
A process that saw us meet weekly by video call soon began to pay off as the State of Connecticut made its way through phase after phase. The go-ahead was given in mid-June, which is after our normal season ends.
Throughout that time, we had great support from so many. Volunteers who had Christian Field looking as good as ever. Coaches who showed great flexibility as the situation evolved. Sponsors, some in their first year, some with us for many more than that, who stuck with us without fail. Special thanks also to members of our Board who focused chiefly on ensuring the safety of our players and fans by enacting all needed public health measures. We appreciate the steps taken by SLL families for adhering to those steps, allowing us to get through the season safely. Those steps included not using dugouts for players, setting up the fields to encourage families to spread out and our league photographer using socially distant techniques to create composite team photos. And, most importantly, thanks to a group of kids who just wanted to play softball and baseball, see their friends and get those new uniforms as dirty as possible. Their laughter, their families cheering, the sounds of the game have never meant more. Cherished memories created for over 200 kids and parents getting pulled back to their own childhoods…
that District All Star Tournament could be held, this year in double elimination format. The U12 All Stars made a spirited defense of its 2019 District Championship by making it to the final four before losing to Ellington. The U10 All Stars gave all they had before losing to South Windsor.
And as you read this, fall baseball is underway, a terrific way to finish the season.
SLL is a volunteer driven organization, dependent on sponsorship, player registration fees and our golf tournament to generate the funds we need to put on a season. 144 golfers turned out September 11 for our 2020 Tournament, a great chance to come together (in a socially distant fashion) to celebrate the season, have some fun and start in on covering the costs of our 2021 season.
So much for which to be thankful in a truly memorable and (hopefully) once in a lifetime season. And our Board cannot wait to get started in preparation for what will be our 65th season of Suffield Little League. If you want to come aboard as a volunteer, coach, sponsor or Board member, we welcome the help.
Heartfelt gratitude to all that have helped over the last six decades to get SLL to where it is now.
