Little League official happy with Bangor site City is “perfect setting” for tourney, Losch says

Joe Losch is in juggling mode these days, trying to coordinate travel plans to get more than 60 Little League baseball and softball teams to eight different World Series venues on time and with minimal airport delays.

It’s not an easy task given the recent trend toward fewer available flights, particularly from international destinations.

In some cases Losch, Little League’s vice president of operation, still doesn’t know which teams he will be making travel plans for, even though the tournaments are starting as soon as this weekend, when Mansfield Stadium in Bangor hosts the 2005 Senior League World Series.

As one example, four of the 10 SLWS teams still were not determined as of midday Thursday, with opening ceremonies scheduled for Saturday night.

“It’s something we’re going to take a look at,” said Losch of the time crunch from his office in Williamsport, Pa.

Losch will visit Bangor for the first time this weekend to catch the opening of the fourth SLWS to be held in Bangor.

While he has not yet seen first-hand how the city’s West Side Little League officials operate the tournament, Losch has nothing but praise for that effort based on all he has seen and heard about their efforts.

“I think Bangor is the perfect setting for the Senior League World Series,” said Losch. “Even though it’s somewhat difficult to fly teams in there, Bangor is a place that typifies the USA.”

A Williamsport native, Losch has worked for Little League since 1969. Currently he is responsible for administering Little League International’s operations division. He also is director of the Little League International tournament, and is secretary for the Little League International charter committee and chairman of the rules committee.

With all those baseballs and softballs to juggle in his current capacity, he is appreciative of the help he receives at the local level. Bangor is no exception.

“I can’t say enough about [SLWS tournament director] Mike Brooker,” Losch said. “He’s a real hard worker and a dedicated person to the Senior League World Series. I know he makes my job a lot easier.”

On the rare occasions Little League needs a new host city for one of its eight World Series – Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League for both baseball and softball – the primary prerequisites are a top-notch playing facility, adequate housing for players and coaches, and activities for the participants away from the field.

Once a community is selected, the relationship between Little League and the local venue is less formal than might be expected.

“It’s kind of a handshake,” Losch said. “We look for a long-term relationship. We don’t have situations where someone might say here’s a certain amount of money, come here. As long as the community supports the tournament and we’re satisfied that all the expenses are covered, we look for long-term relationships. There’s no contract, just a handshake.”

Little League covers travel costs for its World Series teams, with the rest of the costs left primarily to the host organization.

Little League also leaves much of the decision-making to local officials, including whether to have a host team in the tourney field.

At present, Little League (ages 11-12) and Junior League (13-14) baseball World Series do not have host teams, while Senior League (15-16) and Big League (17-18) include host teams in their tournaments – primarily to boost local interest and ticket sales.

Losch said participation levels in most Little League divisions are stable, with Senior League baseball currently involving more than 3,200 leagues and 5,300 teams. The greatest level of participation, he added, comes at the younger levels.

“When you get to Senior and Big League, players are more dedicated to the game so you don’t have quite the numbers,” he said.

Losch admits it’s become an increasingly competitive world for the sporting attention of America’s youth, a fact reinforced for him by a recent survey conducted by Little League.

“At age 10, kids generally know what sports they want to participate in, and players are more one-dimensional now than they used to be,” Losch said.

Losch also cites the conflict between established organizations like Little League and various travel teams that have gained popularity during the last decade.

“We look at baseball as a community-based sport in which all kids are encouraged to play,” he said. “In travel ball only the best players are picked.”

Little League continues to seek ways to grow beyond its present base, which is highlighted by the international attention generated by its 11-12 baseball tournament held at Williamsport. A growth and development program has been established, and Little League is working in conjunction with Major League Baseball on an initiative designed to make baseball and softball more available in urban areas.

That’s not to say Little League is seeking to stray too far from its small-town roots, roots Losch believe are well represented by having the Senior League World Series in Bangor, Maine.

“Sometimes people get wrapped up in wanting to go to bigger cities,” Losch said, “but sometimes when you do that you lose that feel of the country and the types of communities that have always competed in Little League.”