Established in 1957, Moline Little League Baseball is celebrating our 60th Anniversary this year. Baseball, our national past time, has been struggling against new and emerging alternative sports. However while others all around us are experiencing declining enrollment Moline Little League is experiencing its 7th consecutive year of growth.
No league is able to reach an accomplishment of this magnitude without the effort of the entire organization. It starts with the coaches, parents, and volunteers that build the foundation and continues with the sponsors who generously give their support. It is because of that commitment to the league that we continue to grow. The league shares in this success and we are united in our appreciation for all of those involved.
For the first 40 years of Illinois Little (League) Baseball the post season tournaments were dominated by teams from Chicago. In the past 10 years Moline Little League has done what no other organization in the state has accomplished, seven Illinois State Championships. We often hear that Little League Baseball is not about state championships and that is certainly true. Successful programs are built on the dedication of the community, the quality of the coaches, and the effort to grow and improve at every level. State Championships are the bi-product of that united effort. When you build a better program the rest will come naturally.
Moline Little League and our community are very proud of Riverside Park facility. The renovations that began in 1996 with the building of Diamond 5, the leveling and rebuilding of Diamonds 3 and 4, the leveling, rebuilding, and installation of irrigation on Diamonds 1 and 2, and the additions to the concession stand including the extension of the roof for the 2013 season and the renovation of the Leo Brunner Championship field for the 2016 Illinois State 10 Year Old Championship Tournament were all possible because of the volunteers who generously offer their support.