NCLL Alums

Over the past 30+ years, countless NCLL Alums have gone on to be productive members of our community. We're now seeing numerous alums who have come through the league as players now regististering their children to play NCLL.

Are you a former NCLL player or coach? We'd love to here from you! If you have any memories you'd like to share, please contact us at ncllalums@ncllmilw.com.

From Jim Plaisted –Former NCLL coach, parent, and Co-Founder/President of the Milwaukee Bombers

Friends,

This email is long overdue but something I wanted to "get off my chest" since completing last season at the All Star state tournament.

Since 2001, my family has been a part of this amazing organization called NCLL. I was working with Todd Peterson at City Hall at the time and he told me about this league and how well it was run and was the only place to play little league for our sons.

Ben started in T-Ball on the Red Sox, on the Giants in MP, moved to minors on the Devil Rays, and finished in the Majors on Cubs (yuck). Aaron came on in T-Ball with the Royals, played MP with the Giants, minors on the Devil Rays, and majors with the Astros. I'm proud to say I was part of several excellent coaching staffs on most of these teams.

Along the way we won some championships, had some sub par years record-wise, and played in some epic battles against friendly rivals across the diamond. I'll never forget them.

I'm also proud that past presidents and board supported me as an All Star coach for both their age groups. I was always proud to wear the NCLL coaching shirt and know that I had the support of the entire league when I put it on. Of course, our two exciting runs to the State tournament will be stuff we carry with us forever. I'll never forget the trust you put in me with that very talented group of kids and I only wish we could have played better at this summer's state finals. Oh well.

The main purpose of this email is not to recount my family's "career" in NCLL.

The main reason is to say thank you. From the bottom of hearts, Yvette, Ben, Aaron and I will never forget the incredible effort all of you (and of course past board members) put into this amazing organization. The fact  that many of you dedicate your spring and half your summers to hundreds of baseball players and their families is awesome. You don't have to do it, you choose to do it. I know some have kids in the program but I've seen all of you in action and your motives are anything but selfish. You have ALL the kids and families interests at heart when you put together plans for every season.

I do want to also thank past presidents Bob Anderson and Carm Puglisi for their incredible service to this organization. Rich is an incredibly passionate and perfect board president for the coming years. Past board members like Jackie Zachman, Don Patten, and of course the Hirns were so instrumental in this league's long term success. 

We have made so many friendships the past 10 years in the league and I know they will last a lifetime. I can't imagine not staying in contact with many of you in the near and long term future.

I'll never forget the incredible quality of product that the league demands from its families and participants and watching that transform kids into baseball players or, more importantly, finding ways for less skilled players and athletes to participate and contribute. I've got sooo many memories of those kids catching their first fly ball, their first hit (after going 0 for May), pitching for their first time, or begging to put the catcher's gear on for just one inning. I'll never forget those smiling faces and those little accomplishments. They are stuff of movies.

Of course, I also need to thank NCLL for its incredible support for our Bombers program now entering its 6th season. I know the first board that I spoke with had some trepidations with giving it the ok, but cooler heads prevailed and the Bombers were born. I know its done what we wanted it to do which was two fold a)make our teams better in the league and hopefully our all star teams and b) keep kids in the league so that they didn't have to go to a travel program to play more competitive baseball. NCLL and Bombers is the best of both worlds; kids could stay in NCLL and play with school and neighborhood friends but still play highly competitive baseball on those four weekends. The fact that the leadership of the league stayed with and supported us was awesome. Again, a credit to the special people all of you are.

I saw Rich's post on FB that registration was starting. I'm not kidding when I tell you I teared up a little.

I'm so proud of being a part of this league and thank god you were there to give my two boys the best little league baseball experience they could have. So many pictures, videos, and scorebooks to remember it all.

As you start the 2012 season, at least know that one family (and I'm sure there are more) is so appreciative of your volunteer efforts to make this league all that it is. Good luck to all of you and all the best for successful season. 

Jim, Yvette, Ben, and Aaron Plaisted