T’ing Off With Little Lacey Baseball

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By Amy Rowley

lacey baseballEvery Seattle Mariner’s professional baseball player started somewhere.  It may just be that the next generation superstar picks up his first bat in Little Lacey Baseball.

The Lacey-based baseball league is organized by the Lacey Parks and Recreation team and includes five divisions.  Last year, 45 teams participated in the summer baseball league.

The Lacey Parks and Recreation team started Little Lacey Baseball five years ago.  “When the weather would turn nice, parents would call and inquire about getting involved in baseball,” reports Becky Herinckx, Recreation Coordinator.

Herinckx would sadly inform parents that they were too late.

“There are excellent baseball leagues around our area, but they complete registration by February, start practicing in March and are usually finished with the season by June,” she says.  “We noticed that there was a need for younger kids to have an opportunity to play in the summer.”

Little Lacey Baseball begins the third week of June and is finished by the second week of August.  “The kids are playing when the weather is great,” says Herinckx noting that there are no rain outs in the league.

Intended for kids up to age nine, Little Lacey Baseball is only a two-hour commitment per week. Practices and games are held on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.  “There are no weekend games or tournaments.  We want to make the league affordable for parents’ time,” emphasizes Herinckx.

Operating under the theme “all adults working together for the benefit of all the children,” Herinckx stresses that Little Lacey Baseball is a great environment for kids.

lacey baseballAs kids progress through the five age divisions, the rules become more “baseball-like.”  For example, the youngest kids are on small teams with no more than seven kids.  Their learning goals are to hit the ball off a T, drop the bat safely and run around the bases in the correct order.  In each age division, the coaches advance new learning goals.

With more advanced rules also comes more appropriate equipment and larger team sizes.  “Our youngest players are using foam bats but then move up to T-ball hats and helmets in the next division,” explains Herinckx.

Teams are assigned based on the neighborhood.  When registering, parents identify the elementary school closest to their home.  Lacey Parks & Rec staff then group kids together to create connections within the community.  Families meet others close to their child’s age that live in the same area.

The small team size helps solidify those relationships.  “Our parent volunteer coaches focus on short, small learning skills.  A natural byproduct is that kids listen to their coach and are able to get along as a team,” adds Herinckx.

“Little Lacey Baseball players learn the sport and build confidence and friendships,” summarizes Herinckx.  All that while sitting outside in mid-July at awesome Lacey parks…. what’s not to love?

To register for Little Lacey Baseball, call 360.491.0857 or visit this website which also includes adult softball league information.  You can find Little Lacey Baseball at excellent fields throughout the City of Lacey including Rainier Vista Community Park, and Homann Park.

 

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