Dear PCLL Family and Friends,  

Now that the season has wound down and our State Tournaments have concluded, I want to reflect on the 2021 season. 

What a year for PCLL Baseball and Softball!

We sent our first ever teams to Fast-Pitch Softball District 16 Tournaments. The girls had fun and I know both they and their coaches enjoyed and learned from the experience! That will only help us get better going forward, and I am proud of the progress we made in 2021 with our young Softball program.   

In the case of Baseball, four out of five District All Star Teams we sent to compete brought home FOUR (count ‘em - 4!) District Championship banners! This includes the 9-10-11 Middle Majors, who earned our first ever District Championship on home turf up at Plymouth Township Park 4. What a great milestone for our league and kids!   

Our Majors won the most epic and exciting District Championship game I have ever witnessed. A grueling, extra inning, bottom of the tenth walk-off affair that left absolutely everyone spent, exhausted, but WILDLY happy and just so proud of those kids! 

Intermediates battled their way into the State Championship and had the experience of playing over in St Clair, another first for PCLL. I know at least one coach who was proud to witness his son’s first ever post-season dinger. Memorable moments like that you never forget.  

And of course, our Juniors knocked off Clinton, Blissfield and Ypsi-Arbor in a Sectional to also battle their way into States. I know those Coaches and kids learned a lot and had a fun experience up in Saginaw.   

Even the one team who didn’t quite reach the summit, our 8-9-10 Minors, fought valiantly to the Runner Up position, overcoming some significant weather challenges and adversity in the semi-final. I was proud of this team and its grit and determination. They have served notice to District 16 that they will be back.  

With all this great fun and positive news, I do have one “opportunity” for us as we move into the 2022 season next year. We’re going to ask each and all of you to help us completely end the complaining, carping and second guessing of umpires. It’s been a truly challenging year filling umpiring roles, and our experience mirrors that of what’s happening nationally. I don’t want that for PCLL. I want us to be leaders and show others a better way.  

Umpires are going to make mistakes, they’re going to miss calls. My father always taught me, “Win the game with the glove, the bat, and the ball.” His point was simply to not get sidetracked with things like umpiring calls or any other distractions. In my opinion, complaining about calls is a waste of energy and effort, and never ultimately accomplishes anything worthwhile. It only takes attention away from playing hard and overcoming obstacles.  

As far as parents and fans go, I’d like us to completely curtail all complaining about umpiring calls. I would like to request each of you help remind each other to focus on cheering on the kids and the team. That is, let the umpires umpire, let the coaches coach, and let the kids play. Your job is to cheer and encourage.  

I do want to end this reflection on a high note. Our on-field performance this year has served notice throughout District 16, set PCLL on a strong path forward, and given us a competitive foundation on which to build!   

Four baseball All Star teams out of five going to States is, in a word, REMARKABLE. And add to that sending our first ever Softball Fast-Pitch All Star Teams to District 16 Tournaments. We should take a moment or two to revel in that, because you all played a part! And you should all be proud to call PCLL YOUR Little League.

Now let’s look forward and get ready to build on it in 2022. Because we’re going nowhere but up. You are part of a winning team and our success in 2021 is proof positive! 

GO PCLL! 

Jeff Holt, PCLL President