With spring slowly wiggling its way through the snow and grass peeking up here and there thoughts turn to baseball. It shouldn’t be too long before the sweet smell of grass and flowers and leather baseball mitts will be wafting through the air.
And flies. Can’t forget flies—fly balls that is.
With that it must be said that if you have children between 4 and 12 years of age and they want to learn how to play baseball or know how to play baseball and want to get better at America’s game it’s time to sign-up for T-ball, Parent Pitch, and Little League.
Rob Hackett is in charge of the league this year, and he is encouraging kids to come out and play ball.
“The key this year will be an emphasis on teaching skills at all levels so that the kids can advance to the next level,” said Hackett.
Although head coaches are already in place, anyone who wants to be an assistant coach or an umpire can apply through Cook County Community Education. “There will be background checks on all applicants,” Hackett said. “They are required by law,” he added.
Ages to play T-ball are 4-6 years old. Parent Pitch is 7-8 years old and Little League is up to 12 years of age. Forms have to be signed and turned in to school or Community Education by May 1. A coach’s meeting will be held May 6 at the Little League field or in the gym if it’s raining. A baseball clinic for the kids (and parents) will be held on May 17.
“We will also have a Babe Ruth team this year, but that won’t go through community education. Kids 13 to 15 can contact me if they want to play Babe Ruth ball,” said Hackett, who will also coach the Babe Ruth team.
Games will (tentatively) begin in early June.
“We’re excited for baseball to begin. Everyone that comes out will play. We’re looking at having a fun season, and if all goes right, we should have a travel game against Silver Bay or Ely for our Little League players,” Hackett said.
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