Beyond the Glory

The Tampa Bay Devil Ray 's Designated Hitter, Jonny Gomes, began his baseball career right here at Petaluma American Little League! Jonny  knows that the 8-12 year olds just finished Try Outs, the older players are gearing up, and that the new 6 and 7 year olds are looking forward to learning who their teammates are.  He asked me to get a message to all of you: "Play hard, eat your greens, and I'll see everyone in Oakland soon!"  The Devil Rays play the Oakland A's the last weekend in April at the Coliseum.  I'll let you know soon how you can sit in The Gomes Zone and cheer for Jonny.

If you'd like to wish Jonny a great season, just have mom or dad help you sign our PALL Website Guest Book.  When I see some good luck wishes for him there, I'll let him know!  Maybe he'll write back!

If you don't know much about Jonny, he was an All Star at Casa Grande High School.  His road to the pros wasn't easy, but when he got there, he stormed through the Minors winning awards for his bat and fan support for his determination and work ethic. He finally made it to The Show and "stuck" with the Rays for good in 2005 and quickly became a fan favorite.  He racked up amazing stats and was just a few votes shy of winning the American League Rookie of the Year that season.  He won the hearts of lots of PTown families last February when Petaluma recognized his accomplishments here at PALL with "Jonny Gomes Day".  Jonny's sophomore season in MLB started out with a bang.  He led the American League in home runs through the end of April when a shoulder injury began to hamper his swing.  By August, he made the decision to have season ending surgery so he could get back to top form.  If you read Jonny's story, you'll see that he's battled back before.  The Rays and Jonny's friends and fans know he'll "light it up" in the A.L. East again this spring.  You gotta believe. 

Read more about Jonny by following the PALLs In The Pros link on the left.  Jonny is sponsoring a AAA Team at PALL this year as well as a team in Petaluma National and Petaluma Valley Little Leagues.     

Are you a Major or Minor Division player that wants to tune up for the season? 
Are you a Junior or Senior Division Player that wants to look sharp in Try Outs?
Are you  a parent that wants to just help your player get better?

Chad Fillinger, a pitcher in the Seattle Mariners  Minor League Organization and Joey Gomes, a free agent most recently with the San Diego Padres Minor League Organization  will be offering small pitching and hitting clinics in early February.  Each session will be one hour and will be with one other player.  The pitching and hitting sessions are separate hour long clinics.  Players can sign up for either the hitting or pitching  or both sessions.  All ages are welcome.  If you don't have a partner for the session, one will be scheduled.  Parents will pick up lots of tips and observe drills that will help them encourage their player's development during the season. 

When:  February 10th
Where: Casa Grande High School Varsity Field
Cost:  $55 per session (hitting and pitching are separate sessions)
Contact:  Chad Fillinger 707-763-4160

Note:  Sessions on the 10th are nearly booked so Chad and Joey are also booking a few sessions on Sunday the 11th.

We'll be working on the Junior Division Field at Prince Park again this Saturday and we need your help!  Come on out and give PALL's Juniors an awesome place to play this season. Even if you’re not the parent of a Jr. Division player, we hope that you someday will be or recently have been… and know that it takes a lot of hands to do this work.  We will finish the infield work we started last weekend.  Final touches include installing new base pads, upgrading the pitching mounds, and tweaking some sod. Here’s more info on why this work is happening:

It's gonna be awesome with your help!

Date:  This Saturday, February 3rd
Location: Prince Park (Baseball field A)
Time:  8am
Equipment to bring: Shovels (flat and pointed), Rakes, Wheelbarrows, Trucks for loading and unloading dirt.

Questions?  Call PALL Jr/Sr Division VP Barry Jones at 707-776-4917 or email him at bjones455@yahoo.com.

Thank you!

If you're the parent of a player that will be 6-12 years old on April 30, 2007 and you missed registration, please contact Player Agent Anna Santos at 766-9960 / santosfamily1726@sbcglobal.net).

Junior and Senior Division players, welcome to the 2007 season!  You can mail in your registration now or bring your completed forms to Try Outs on Saturday, March 10 AT 10 am (NOTE:  THIS IS A REVISED DATE). We'd appreciate a quick phone call or email to let us know you're planning to play.  Just contact Player Agent Anna Santos at 766-9960 / santosfamily1726@sbcglobal.net).  The registration fee is $140 ($130 if there is another family member enrolled) and includes a uniform jersey that Junior Division players will keep at the end of the season. Either way, you must present proof of residence and birth date in person. You'll save time by completing forms ahead of time.  Just follow the links below  under "What to Bring To Try Outs". The schedule for Try Outs will be posted soon under the PALL NEWS link to the left.

14 year olds will have the option of "playing up" to the Senior Division this season.  The seniors start a bit later and play on 90 foot base paths vs. the 80 foot base paths the Juniors will play on for the first half of the 2007 season.  If you're 14 and want to register for the Senior Division, contact Player Agent Anna Santos at 766-9960 / santosfamily1726@sbcglobal.net). Questions about the Jr/Sr program? Contact Jr/Sr VP Barry Jones 7764917 / bjones455@yahoo.com.

Every year some parents are frustrated to learn about Little League's strict requirements for proof of birth date and residence.  You must present this proof each year even if you have a returning player.  We've done our best to lay it all out for you here so you can be prepared.  

The age determination date in Little League is April 30th.  For example, if your player will be 13 on 4/30/07, he will be a thirteen year old Little Leaguer this season.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION for the 2007 season is no longer available.   

WHAT TO BRING TO TRY OUTS  (click the links to download, print and complete):
1) Player's original birth certificate.  If you have lost the original, click here to read about Proof of Age requirements.   Also note that a "Certified Abstract of Birth" is no longer recognized as a legal document in California so it can't be used as Proof of Age in Little League.  More on that 
2) Proof of residence:
> Three recent proofs of your current residence. Click here for more on Residency Requirements and the types of proof that are acceptable. 
> If you have moved or live outside our boundaries and wish to continue playing in PALL, you must also bring three proofs of residency at your OLD address (within the PALL Boundaries).  Click here to see the PALL Boundary Map.
> Brothers and sisters of children that played in PALL last year but no longer live within our boundaries may be eligible to play for PALL. Please contact Tanya Sullivan if you'd like more information about that provision.
3) Medical Release Form
4) Parent/Guardian Code of Conduct Form
5) Either the 2007 Player Registration Form  OR your printed receipt if you paid fees on line.
6) If you plan to volunteer 3 or more times at PALL this season, please also provide a Volunteer Application.  We'll need a copy of your driver's license  to run a background check so please bring it to registration.

TIME SAVING TIPS:
1) Review the volunteer needs and descriptions outlined on our website so you can give some thought to the role that works best for you.  Every parent will be asked to check a box on the form even if it's the "I choose not help" option. 

2) Sample jerseys will be available at registration for quick size checks.

3) If you have unusual circumstances, please let Player Agent Anna Santos know PRIOR to March 10th. 

Questions?  Call or email PALL Information Officer Tanya Sullivan (529-1720).

It's almost time to Play Ball!  We'll see you soon!