MERGER UPDATE & REGISTRATION
Dear Parents of Northampton Township,
We hope this message finds you well. Both Northampton and Holland Boards wanted to provide an update on our request to merge Northampton and Holland Little Leagues.
On Thursday, January 16th, The Little League East Region Charter Committee officially approved our request to unify both Little Leagues as Northampton Township Little League.
During our initial conversations, after receiving approval, one condition of the approval surfaced that we were not aware of: Once the Charter Committee approved the request, it became active for the current 2025 season.
As you know, from all communications sent to you, or posted on our social media pages, this was NOT our intention. We clearly stated that the target for this unification was for the Spring 2026 season. This was the timeline proposed to both Boards and this was the timeline approved by both Boards. Little League was provided copies of not only Board meeting minutes but every communication that was sent by both organizations.
We immediately raised concerns and identified risks to Little League. Our Boards presented a bulleted list of major issues and their impact to our upcoming season. To highlight the major issues:
- Neither organization has been given ample time for proper due diligence in reviewing financials, assets, and liabilities. This approval would have ideally allowed us to start these critical discussions at the end of the 2025 Spring season.
- Both organizations are in the early phase of their registration cycles, having already setup new registration systems that are customized for each local Little League.
- Both organizations have been consistent in relaying specific timelines and expectations to our Member Community since September 2024. This contradiction creates a public perception issue due to this unforeseen development.
Despite our best efforts to delay unification until the Fall, the Merger Committee was presented with the following options:
- Move ahead with the approved merger for the 2025 season and confront the challenges that may arise.
- Move ahead with the approved merger under one charter but continue to play as separate Little Leagues (Interleague Play). The Boards from both sides will continue to support their divisions, and a temporary executive Board will be installed to handle escalated issues.
- Remove our application for the 2025 season until resubmission in September 2025. The first Charter Committee convenes in October 2025. We have assurance from Little League that if there are no major changes to the details of the request, approval should be swift.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, both Boards approved a plan where we will accept Little League’s approval under one charter for 2025. However, we will operate in the exact format that we have previously communicated:
- Northampton and Holland will continue to operate as separate Divisions via Interleague play for the 2025 season. Both Boards will manage their own Divisions exactly as it was last season. An equal mix of Northampton and Holland executives will oversee the entire league for the remainder of the season.
- Districts: Due to the accelerated timeline that we have been given, our primary focus will be on getting registration started, finding volunteers for coaching and other areas, and to ensure uniforms are ordered in time. The Committee will continue to deliberate and collect feedback regarding Districts. We will communicate details once finalized.
- Spring 2026 and beyond: We will operate fully as one unified Little League. A new Board will be established to serve our expanded Member Community.
Our volunteers have much work to do before this season can commence, and we appreciate your patience thus far. We ask that you utilize your existing Division contacts for any questions that you may have. Quick notes in closing:
- Registration has been opened and is being hosted by Northampton Baseball – please register quickly so we can begin to order uniforms and to obtain sponsors for specific teams.
- Volunteer clearances and mandatory Little League Abuse Training will be communicated and managed by each Division’s Secretary and/or Safety Director
- Volunteers that indicate interest in coaching or other volunteer roles will be sent a JDP background application via Northampton.
Thank you for your continued support,
Northampton Township Baseball
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