Patriot Junior/Senior Little League

Ted worked the last game of his illustrious umpiring career at Allied Gardens Little League, during the 2015 opening day game between the Tigers and the A’s.

Tom Kaplan Jan 22 1927 - June 1 2015

Ted is survived by his wife Trina, sons Steven and Larry and daughter Susie, their spouses Jill and Donna Kaplan and David Venegas, two grand-daughters by Susie and David, Alexandra and Daylen, Steve's foster son Justin, and Steve's wife Jill's two children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren. Ted accomplished a lot in his life but he would tell you that he is most proud of the 67-year marriage he created with Trina.

Ted was born on January 22, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY. He lived in Brooklyn until serving in the US Army in Japan after WW II. He married Trina on June 20, 1948 and earned a business degree from Brooklyn College. He worked as an accountant in New York City and for a year in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego in 1959 to work as Assistant Accountant for Marty Gleich at American Housing Guild, builder of homes, apartments and more. Within a year he was promoted to Head Accountant, then Comptroller and CFO as AHG grew in the 60's. Ted retired in 1992 after 33 years with Marty Gleich and AHG. Ted shared his financial expertise with all who needed it and did the taxes for as many as seven people every year.

Ted played and followed many sports all his life, including stickball as a young boy. He was an accomplished runner at New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn. He was the fourth fastest member of New Utrecht's cross-country team that won the Brooklyn championship and narrowly missed winning the New York City championship.

He took up tennis in 1960 and quickly became an excellent player. He played tennis 2-3 times a week for over 50 years, hanging up his racket at the age of 87. He was adept at putting spin on the ball. 1960 is also the year Ted started his long career as an umpire. His eldest son had started Little League and he wanted to volunteer his time. He chose umpiring over coaching and San Diego youth baseball is lucky that he did.

Ted mastered the mechanics of umpiring and the art of calling balls and strikes. Ted's strike zone was consistent, which endeared him to many a coach and player. Ted studied the rule book, learning it as well as just about anyone. He loved to discuss the rules and interesting situations, especially with his two sons who also learned the rulebook and did some umpiring.

Ted umpired at least two games a week for many years for Mission Village Little League and Serra Mesa Pony League. He served ten years as Head Umpire for Little League's District 33. He ran a rulebook and mechanics clinic that was open to all umpires.

Ted took a 15 year break from umpiring but returned to it when he retired in 1992. He volunteered twice a week as umpire for Senior Softball La Mesa and also for the Senior Softball Travel League. His passion rekindled, Ted joined a local umpiring association started by Dusty Harang and began working youth baseball games. Ted worked over 100 games a year until scaling back in his 80s.

He volunteered as an umpire in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, at one of the numerous tournaments put on by Little League baseball, and at three Fantasy Camps, one for the Boston Red Sox and two for the San Diego Padres.

Ted visited AGLL while watching his great grandson play ball during the Fall 2013 season. He offered to help out and at 87 he became a regular AGLL umpire in 2014. Ted would often linger after games and chat about rules and the history of our league and district.

Ted's family was the most important thing in his life, but he had many interests. He loved to read the newspaper. He loved movies and live theatre. He and Trina supported numerous local theatres and they gave generously to myriad causes. He enjoyed his time at his desktop computer. He and Trina were accomplished bridge players. Ted loved to listen to the music from his youth.

Ted and Trina traveled extensively. They made a few visits to Hawaii, Mexico, and Canada as well as visiting Spain, Portugal, Morocco, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ecuador, including the Galapagos, and Peru, including Machu Picchu. They made yearly visits to New York and Florida to visit relatives. They cruised to Hawaii in the 60s and to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and the Panama Canal in retirement.

Ted was a kind and gentle man who treasured his family. He was compassionate. His hugs will be remembered by all who savored one. He was dependable. You could always count on him. Our world needs more people like Ted Kaplan.

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Date: Thursday June 18^th
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Location: Carls Jr Restaurant

If you did not complete the certification process on Monday, your final opportunity to get your team(s) approved will be on Thursday night (6/18) by appointment only. We will be at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 6566 Mission Gorge Road, San Diego, CA 92120. It's on the corner of Mission Gorge Road and Zion Ave, we'll be there from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Don’t wait till 7:00pm to show up because we might be gone. If anyone is running late and they have a good reason call Clay at (619) 787-7593 and let him know what the circumstances are.

If anyone needs me or Shannon to review your book before it gets to Clay for signature, then contact us and we’ll try to accommodate you prior to Thursday.

Pete Gregorovic
CA District 33 Player Agent
619-823-3954 
 

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Date: Monday, June 15^th
Time: See Below
Location: Murphy Canyon Orleck District Office

In order for your team to participate in the All-Stars Tournament, all players need to be certified by the District. We will be conducting certification for all leagues on June 15^th at the Murphy Canyon Orleck District Office – (party room with the couches) located at 10323 Orleck Street San Diego, CA 92124. 

Please take a look below for your appointment time with the District.  Every league needs to be represented on this day. If you do not have all your players' information ready at this time, we need you to show up with what information you have.
 

6:00pm	7:00pm	8:00pm
ALLIED GARDENS	MISSION TRAILS	SAN CARLOS
LAKE MURRAY	NORTH PARK	SERRA MESA
MID CITY	ROLANDO	TIERRASANTA
KEARNY MESA	SUNSHINE	PATRIOT
CHOLLAS LAKE	MURPHY CANYON
LA MESA NATIONAL

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by Robert Henderson, Rolando Little League

My son, Carter Henderson won a family trip to the 2014 Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA through a Chiquita banana contest. We submitted a photo of him eating a banana just before his TOC Minors game at Allied Gardens and it won the photo Grand Prize.         

To say this trip and the Little League World Series were a highlight of our lives is an understatement. We’ve seen the LL World Series on TV for several years but we were just amazed by it in real life. We had VIP access to all the games and this year was extra special because of history being made by Mone’ Davis (first female pitcher in semi-finals) and the team from Chicago. It was just incredible to witness how well run and organized this event is. The facilities are outstanding and they treat all the players and their families wonderfully. 

Carter was able to meet many players from around the world. He spoke with the kids from the West team (Nevada) and made friends with many of the Latin America and Mexico players (because he speaks fluent Spanish). One day he spent trading pins at the pin trading tent. I didn’t realize how serious everyone is about pin trading. His pins from California were very valuable and got him a lot of trade value. Our first day there he proudly wore his Padres jersey and cap. We made friends with the District Administrator from Pennsylvania (“Dancing Bob”) who is always on TV dancing in the stands. Both our kids (Carter & Brooke) made friends with some local kids who showed them the entire baseball complex.  We actually got on TV too; because one of the coaches at Rolando says he saw my Rolando cap and Carter’s jersey, but didn’t realize it was us, at first.                

Carter got many players autographs on his hat, his shirt, and numerous baseballs. We saw great baseball and sportsmanship being displayed by all the players in the World Series tournament. Everyone we met there were very nice to my family. To see the game of baseball being played by kids from around the world was very fulfilling.  

We went to the Little League Museum and learned all about America’s favorite sport and how it has influenced all those involved in it. And how the 2014 Little League World Series was also history making.  

While there on the east coast; we went to Philadelphia and Washington DC. Our kids should never have any issues with American history ever again. I would recommend a visit to the Little League World Series if you ever get the chance.

The most memorable thing my son said at the end of the trip was: “Dad I want to come back here to Williamsport, as a player”. 

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Saturday May 16th, 2015
Location: MCLL Santo Field
Cost: $20 per 2-Man Team
Time: 5:00pm till Finished
Flyer: MCLL Cornhole Tournament Flyer 

Murphy Canyon Little League has extended an invitation to anyone from District 33 to join in on the fun of their annual MCLL Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser. Must be over 16 years of age to play. All proceeds go towards MCLL fields and equipment.  Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Registration closes on May 15th, so sign up today.  Take a look at the flyer for details on how to register.

Cornhole is a game similar to bean bag toss or horse shoes. You have 2 rectangle boards raised at an angle with a hole at the top of the board. The boards are placed 27 ft apart. Each game has 2 teams and each team has 2 players. To play the game you put a player from each team next to separate board and toss bean bags towards the board without stepping past the end of your board. Each side gets a chance to throw, and each player will have 4 bags to throw. Once one side has thrown all their bags, it is then their partners turn. You are able to throw under or over hand but your feet may not cross the bottom of the board. The goal is to get your bean bags either in the hole on the board for 3 points, or on the board for 1 point. The bean bag can not be touching the ground in order to score. The first team to reach 21 points wins.

For more information on the game of Cornhole, please check out the link to the American Cornhole Associations website at www.playcornhole.org/how.shtml

I hope you all can join us!

Paige Paschall
Auxiliary Coordinator - MCLL
507-461-3456

 

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