With a new president comes new ideas and John Rudolph has plenty of them in his new role as the head man for Kirkland American Little League.
Rudolph, 50, took over as KALL president on Sept. 25 and already has a head start on initiatives for the little league, which is the oldest in the state. KALL passed its new constitution on Nov. 30, helping pave the way for changes Rudolph says will help the league move forward.
The biggest change in the constitution – and its local league rules and policies and procedures – allows non-board members to serve as league committee members.
“By changing the constitution to allow general members to be involved, I think it helps streamline things,” said Rudolph, who has 13-year-old twin boys and a nine-year-old daughter in KALL. “People can now just volunteer for a committee.”
Rudolph said KALL is also hoping to continue to build and promote its softball program within the league, noting that with so many options for girls to play all over, the softball program within KALL had been dwindling in the past.
“Once anyone gets good, there are so many divisions and leagues for them to leave to play in,” he said. “We want to keep those girls excited and hold on to them a little bit longer.”
KALL, which serves softball players from ages 4-16 and baseball players from 5-12, will also provide free training during this offseason, giving players the chance to get into a groove well before the season starts.
The program, which will run during January and February, will provide coaches for six-week sessions that will focus on pitching, hitting and fielding.
“So many times people sign up their kids, and then the first time they touch a bat is when the season begins,” said Rudolph, owner of Kirkland Builders Group and a resident since 1980.
KALL will also provide more coach and umpires training this season, Rudolph said. The league also hopes to distance it self away from incidents such as last year, when one mother was arrested during a KALL game for the alleged assault of a 12-year-old.
“KALL was guilty by association with the issues that came up and it got a bit blown out of proportion because it took place on our property,” Rudolph said. “We want to promote life skills, having fun and parent interaction. We don’t want things like that to happen again. Little League is about having fun and a great experience.”
Rudolph also pointed out KALL will be debuting a new Web site on Dec. 10, KALL. In addition to the new Web site, the league will use technology like Twitter to let members know of rain-outs and cancellations.
“We’re trying to get technology savvy,” Rudolph said. “It’s just another feature we’re trying to provide our members.”
Rudolph also made a point to get across KALL’s ultimate goal: fun.
“Our intent is that everyone gets to have fun,” he said, “and everyone gets to play.”
