Little League Baseball has announced its series of Urban State Jamborees for 2013 and the inaugural event will be held in National City, Calif., for the first time. According to National City Mayor Ron Morrison, this is a huge win for his city, situated 10 minutes south of downtown San Diego along the San Diego Bay.
“For many of us growing up, Little League was our introduction to teamwork and team discipline. Hosting the Little League Jamboree in National City not only stirs up the great memories of Little League past, but also gives us inspiration and pride in the future of our young people’s lives,” said Ron Morrison, mayor of National City.
According to Little League Baseball’s website, the Urban State Jamborees have been held each year since 2010. The response to these events has generated much excitement for the host leagues and communities. Since the Little League Urban Initiative decided to move its Jamboree concept from one national tournament to numerous state/regional tournaments in 2010, the initiative for boys and girls in urban neighborhoods has prospered. In 2013, two jamborees have been added to the lineup and new venues will be benefitting.
Beginning with the Southern California Jamboree on April 26-28 in National City, nine jamboree events will take place over an eight-week period in eight different states and in several different regions of the country. The number of jamborees has grown from four in the first year to seven in 2011 to the nine tournaments scheduled this year.
With a goal to bring the benefits of Little League Baseball and Softball to boys and girls in urban neighborhoods, the jamborees allow those same players the opportunity to participate in a tournament setting.
“Thanks to many people, including the organizers at each location, the state jamborees have enjoyed considerable success and have been well-received over the past three years,” said Demiko Ervin, director of the Little League Urban Initiative. “Each year we strive to expand the opportunities so that more children in the program have the opportunity to experience all the things that come with playing in a tournament setting.
“Another benefit of the jamborees is the recognition afforded to those leagues that have embraced the Urban Initiative mission, while allowing them to show what a local league can do with the proper mix of resources, support and community involvement.”
At each jamboree event, participating teams will take part in a weekend of games, instruction, and other special events, at no cost to their local league. At the end of the weekend, all the participants will leave with a lifetime of memories, and one team will own the championship banner. The weekend also offers a chance for coaches, managers, and league officials to come together to network and share ideas.
The first Urban Initiative tournament in National City will take place at Las Palmas Park from Friday, April 26, at 5 p.m. to Sunday, April 28, at 7 p.m. A total of twelve teams will be hosted for this tournament.
“I am looking forward to the Urban Initiative coming to National City and Las Palmas Little League,” said Rolland Slade, administrator of the California Little League District 66. “It is a rare and exciting opportunity to not only show the beauty that is in National City, but also to show the beauty of sportsmanship and leadership development that we see in the Little League Baseball, Inc.”
The state/regional jamborees took the place of the annual Little League Urban Initiative Jamboree hosted by Little League International each Memorial Day weekend. During the six years (2004-09) the Jamboree was played at the Little League International complex in South Williamsport, Pa., site of the Little League Baseball World Series, teams from 66 different Urban Initiative leagues and more than 800 players participated.
In the last three years, 221 teams and more than 2,744 players have had the opportunity to participate in an Urban Initiative Jamboree.