History of the League
Walter "Pop" Smith Little League serves the Dixwell/Newhallville/Hill Community, and Westville. Our program is designed to develop fundamental baseball skills through our instructional program, foster teamwork and sportsmanship throughout our system from T-ball to Major League. Children progress at their own pace with the assistance of an active volunteer coaching staff. We are one of a few baseball programs in the Northeast to have represented the Eastern region at the National Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Walter 'Pop' Smith Little League was founded by three courageous and committed men, Joe Ditter, Dewitt Jones, and Lou Whitmire. These gentlemen, against all odds, founded a program that has lasted 60+ years!
The 1974 Little League World Series Team
New Haven Register, Aug. 17, 2014
Exhibition play at 2006 Little League WS as part of Urban Initiative
Walter "Pop" Smith League does well at World Series
(8/28/2006) The Walter “Pop” Smith Little League returns to New Haven today victorious after winning all three exhibition games at the Little League Baseball World Series Jamboree in Williamsport, PA.
The 13 players and three coaches return to Bowen Field, adjacent to James Hillhouse High School, today between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. with Coach Johnson.
The 13 players from New Haven prevailed against teams from three other cities – North Richmond, Va., Pelham, NY and Pittsburgh. The New Haven league was one of only four little league baseball teams in the country to be invited by the Little League Urban Initiative to participate in the Little League Baseball World Series Jamboree, August 24-26, 2006. Coach Greg Johnson said this is the first time in more than 30 years that a New Haven team has been selected to represent Connecticut. They played against the North Richmond Little League (Richmond, Va.); Wilkinsburg Little League (Pittsburgh, Pa) and Pelham Parkway Little League (The Bronx, N.Y.).
Pop Smith Little League was afforded the opportunity to play in exhibition games during the World Series through an Urban Initiative that is funded by Minnesota Twins’ outfielder Torri Hunter and other Major League baseball players in a bid to see more diversity in baseball. Walter Pop Smith Little League was founded in the early 1950’s and officially charted in the Little League program in 1956. Walter Pop Smith Little League services the New Haven Community and provides organized baseball to over 400 children annually. In 1974 Walter Pop Smith Little league went undefeated through regional play and earned the right to represent the East in the 1974 Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Over the years Pop Smith Little league has earned other district, and state accolades and has participated in a very competitive district and state.
Walter "Pop" Smith Little League Fields
The Walter "Pop" Smith Little League Fields (Bush & Jones Fields) are located at the corner of Sherman Parkway and Munson Street, right next to Hillhouse High School, which is at 480 Sherman Parkway. There is a parking lot right next to the fields.
The Frances Veitch Memorial Fields are located about 1/4 of a mile down Sherman Parkway from Hillhouse High, right next to the New Haven Police Academy as you go toward Hamden on your left. The best parking is at King-Robinson Middle School, located at 150 Fournier St, New Haven, CT 06511. From there you walk across the street and you will see the outfield fence of Veitch. Mel Zeidenberg Field (West Rock Field) located in West Rock Park in the Westville Section of New Haven. Parking is best found in the school parking lot at the corner of Blake Street and Valley Street with driveway entrances off either street. Additional parking may be found at the commuter lot on the corner of Blake Street and Whalley Avenue. Proceed on foot across the walking bridge located in the far corner of the school parking lot to access the field.
Divisions
Majors - Boys & Girls Ages 11-12
Jr. Majors - Boys & Girls Ages 9-10
Minors - Boys & Girls Ages 7-8
T-Ball - Boys & Girls Ages 4-6
A child's league age is determined by the Date of August 31
Example: If a child is 8 years old and he/she will be 9 on is September 5th, he/she is league age 8. If the birthday is August 5th and he/she will be 9, then the league age is 9.
Mailing Address, or to Donate
Walter "Pop" Smith Little League
P.O. Box 3322
New Haven, CT 06515