Little League is small-town big deal

"Play Ball!" When those words -- awaited all winter by youngsters, coaches, umpires and fans alike -- come from the mouth of Brian Witt this Saturday morning, April 26, baseball Sisters style will be underway again.

Witt is vice president of the local Little League franchise and will introduce all the local ball teams and coaches at the opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday at the two baseball diamonds behind Sisters Community Church, 15220 McKenzie Highway, one mile west of town.

"The public is invited and encouraged to come," he said.

"We have over 175 youngsters on our 14 team rosters," said Rod Hjelmstad (pronounced 'Hulmstad'), player agent and director of the local franchise.

"That requires 30 coaches, all of whom are parents of the players, a dozen or more umpires, 50 concession stand operators and a whole host of other volunteers," he said.

"We are still in need of umpires to fill out our roster," Hjelmstad said. "It's great fun and a wonderful chance to rub shoulders with fine young boys and girls and a great group of parents and coaches. Anyone interested can call me at 549-7323," he said. "Absolutely no experience is necessary."

Everyone who works with Sisters Little League is a volunteer. The local league is part of a regional coalition with teams from Bend and Redmond.

"This year, some of our games will be played away from Sisters," Hjelmstad said. "One of our junior boys teams, with 13 or 14 players that we'll pick from 18 who qualify, will play most of their games on the road.

"We're also sponsoring girls softball this year." he said, "While girls can and do play on all our baseball teams, we're going to have a minor softball team for the eight- to 12-year-olds and a junior league team for the 13- and 14-year-olds.

"They will also travel to Bend and Redmond."

Little League teams here start with "T-Ball" for the five- to seven-year-olds, making up three teams. There are four Minor-B teams for seven- to 10-year-olds with pitching by the coaches; four Minor-A for nine- to 12-year-olds teams with a player doing the pitching, and one Major-A ball team for the 10- to 12-year-olds which will play its games against other Major-A ball teams from Redmond and Bend, plus the girls softball teams.

Each team will play between 10 and 15 games during the season, plus an after-season tournament for the older boys and girls.

"The Community Church provides us with our two ball fields for which we are truly indebted," said Witt. "Without them we would be nowhere.

"They even mow the grass and help us keep things ship-shape," he said.

"We also are most appreciative of the team sponsors, all local businesses, and those who advertise on our outfield fences. 100 percent of all our money comes from private sources. No government funding of any kind," he said.

Each ballplayer pays a nominal fee to the organization, which helps cover the costs of an assessment to the international organization in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where the Little League World Series is held, and the local district, which covers Madras, La Pine, Bend and Redmond.

The Sisters Little League is composed of children within the local school district.