Baseball Gift Baskets

Little League thanks the community behind key plays and clutch hitting

Ken Simels, president of the league’s board of directors, hopes every child who played baseball and softball this year had an enjoyable season and learned a thing or two along the way. He also wants to thank the community that supports every play.

“This organization functions solely from the support of volunteers,” Simels said. “There are various opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the lives of our children.”

Simels encouraged those who would like to get involved with the league to speak to any board member regarding the opportunities that exist.

The league held playoff games for its minor and major divisions on June 11. After a hard-fought battle, the Yankees beat the Dodgers, 15-11, for the minor championship.

“If you listened to the comments from the spectators who watched the game, you would not think they were talking about 8- to 10-year-old boys,” assistant coach Al Rainford said. “With key plays in the field and clutch hitting at the plate, this game had everything you would want in an awesome baseball game.”

The Brewers took on the Blue Jays in the major championship game.

“Both teams played hard and well,” Rainford said. “After taking a 6-2 lead after two innings, the Blue Jays exploded for 15 runs and beat the talented Brewers team.”

Both teams had players who fought hard during the game and all season, Rainford said.“Nick Stefanchik Jr., of the Blue Jays, hit for the cycle in the winning effort, and Jackson Fogerty pitched a great game,” Rainford said. “For the Brewers, Frank DelGuercio’s pitching kept them in the game with a great effort, but in the end the Blue Jays just had too much on this day with Joey Bellotti and Nick

Stefanchik Jr. both hitting home runs.”

After the game, Brewers coach Steve Anderson spoke highly of both teams and their players, and said goodbye after 15 years of coaching his sons in the league.

Each year, the league presents one 12-year-old baseball player and one 12- year-old softball player with Jim Davis Sportsmanship Awards. The awards are given in memory of Jim Davis, a sports reporter for the Trentonian whose passion was Little League baseball. Nick Stefanchik Jr. and Alyssa Ariano earned the awards this year for helping other players, always trying hard, displaying enthusiasm and team spirit, setting a good example, playing fair at all times, being graceful losers, refraining from arguing with umpires, being polite and courteous and always doing what their team managers ask, according to Simels.

Baseball Gift Baskets | The MLB Video

Gift baskets are great way to give themed gifts to kids and teens. You can figure out a wide range of options to give them something that they will like. At the same time you have ultimate control over how much you spend. Choosing a theme allows you to purchase items related to your theme from a variety of locations, and you can even include a gift card as part of the basket if you would like. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

The Basket.

The perfect place to start with a gift basket is the basket itself. Many people go with a basic wicker basket, but if you choose another option it is likely to have a use later on. You can choose a square basket so it can easily be placed on a shelf with items in it, you can choose a small tote for the toys to be stored on (to make it really cute and open wrap it with cellophane with the lid on the bottom), or choose another container that will be used. The container can be a gift in itself, like a tool apron, totebag or hat.

Filling:

Little Kids.

Young kids are often easy to buy for. Get your basket, tote, or tin and fill it part way with “grass” or shredded paper. You can also place a small blanket in there on the bottom to hold the items up. Consider cars, plastic animals, bath toys, and balls for themed gifts for boys. Girls will like dolls, dress up items, and age appropriate jewelry. You can also do mixes of items. Consider a small stuffed toy, color crayons, a coloring book, another book option, and a small toy. You can choose items related to a theme, like “baseball” or “kittens”, or a favorite movie or character. No matter what you choose, make sure that the items you choose are safe for little ones.

Bigger Kids.

As the kids grow it may be harder to find inexpensive gifts that will make great gift baskets. Choose sports related items, a “farm” such as an ant farm, tadpole pond, or other kit with small live critters, or outdoor toys for the boys. Inflatables usually fit into a gift basket (as long as you don’t blow them up first). Girls will enjoy make up (even if it is pretend), nail polish, and things that will make them feel grown up. You can also do a craft basket that is likely to be a hit for both girls and boys. Or go with a goodies basket that has candy, cocoa, and other good stuff for the winter time. No matter theme you choose, start shopping early-any time you spot an inexpensive item that will work for your basket, purchase it and put it aside…when it is time to assemble your basket, you will have plenty of items on hand.

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