Ted Williams League: It's a Whole New Ball Game!

For any questions pertaining to the Ted Williams League, please contact TWL Director Jeff Gordon at 352-527-4204

BACKGROUND
The Ted Williams Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, has done a lot of wonderful work to promote baseball, going on the road and working with teams like the Red Sox and the Devil Rays, while working with the Ted Williams League (TWL) to help provide better opportunities for young players to learn and love the greatest sport in the world -- baseball. Ted Williams League Showcase Your tax-deductible contributions to the Museum's endowment are invaluable to ensure the Museum's continued existence, and to provide for its youth programs, like the TWL, and scholarships for deserving student athletes. For more information, contact Dave McCarthy, Executive Director, Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame, 2455 N. Citrus Hills Blvd., Hernando, FL 34442 or call (352) 527-6566, fax (352) 527-4163 or email info@tedwilliamsmuseum.com

We are very pleased that the TWL expanded to open its first Florida chapter. No one knew what to expect, but nearly twice as many children signed up than we had anticipated. For more information about the Ted Williams League, please contact TWL Director, Jeff Gordon, at 352-527-4204.

The TWL played on the fields immediately adjacent to the Museum, which were personally installed last year to TWL specs by League Commissioner Steve Ferroli. Steve ran an active program in Massachusetts all summer and fall, and still managed to hold fall clinics at the Museum fields.

WHY YOU'LL WANT TO PLAY IN THE TED WILLIAMS LEAGUE
Resulting from 10 years of research, the Ted Williams League (TWL) was formed to actively display several key adjustments made to youth league play. The sole purpose of the TWL is to help shape a better youth baseball experience for the large number of organizations and millions of individuals who participate in this great game year after year. Following are just a few reasons why you may want to play in the Ted Williams League or by TWL specifications.

The league has grown enormously in the past give years. Starting with 48 players in 1997, it now has 800. Players range from 5 to 55 years in age.
All divisions of the TWL play by skill level and not by age.
The TWL believes in player development through experience and reasonable challenge. Therefore, it is a must that players be placed in an appropriate competitive environment in relation to their ability. In the TWL, if a player is 9 years old and the league's evaluation process reveals that he/she has the skill level of a 12 year old, then they are placed in that division. The reverse case is just as important!.
Through extensive research, the TWL has rescaled several playing levels by altering rules, dimensions, and equipment to create a more accurate baseball experience.
For example, the TWL Rookie Division (average age of 8 years old) plays over a 14-inch home plate, and with a smaller and lighter baseball. TWL research tells us that it does not make sense for a player with shorter arms and a shorter bat to defend an adult's home plate. Leagues where children play using a man's home plate have created an enormous imbalance in favor of the defense. This creates additional hitting fear, poor pitching fundamentals, and an overall lack of action. The result is a child with a distorted baseball experience and, ultimately, an early exit from the sport.
In most leagues, 70% of all players quit at 13 years of age. The teenage divisions of the TWL are up 72%!
The TWL provides the players at the youngest levels of baseball with a more accurate representation of baseball than other leagues in the past. This results in more action, enjoyment and, as a result, a prolonged interest.
All TWL directors, managers, coaches, umpires, and scorekeepers must be certified for their level of play.
It is our belief that progressive levels of certification in these key positions will enrich not only the players' experience, but also the adults and young adults who work at making the TWL all that it is.
The upper levels of TWL play, record, and honor key playing statistics indefinitely.
It is our belief that playing statistics are a healthy form of motivation. They allow players to set realistic goals while nurturing a sense of accountability, self-awareness, and personal growth.
All levels of TWL play are slowly but surely returning to wooden bats.
We believe that 20 years of the metal bat has changed the game considerably. We have found a lack of general interest in pitching that continues to result in a decreased amount of mature pitching skills.
All divisions of the TWL believe in annual division drafting and pool balancing.
The TWL believes in close competition. This is not possible without equal teams in each division. By spending additional time at the beginning of the season to balance the teams, each season is a true fight to the championship.
The league is endorsed by Ted Williams.
The Ted Williams League was researched and designed by Ted's long-time friend Steve Ferroli. In 1994, Ted personally selected Steve Ferroli, an author and batting instructor, as the Number 1 teacher of the Ted Williams Hitting Theory. Steve began his youth baseball study in 1986, and has collaborated with Ted Williams on this project since 1990.

Contacts
Ted Williams League Headquarters P.O. Box 1127 Pembroke, MA 02359 1-800-895-8925	Ted Williams League Florida Jeff Gordon 352-527-4204