By Stacy Case
Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd…… Most of you baseball fanatics know the rest of that old fashioned jingle.
And, as the passion for baseball continues to run through the veins of many youths, (and plenty of us adults too) America’s pastime still seems to be a popular sport around town from generation to generation.
With South Florida being a breeding ground for the sport and the climate conducive for such, it’s no surprise that local Little League programs still have consistent registrations season after season.
The City of Parkland operates a sole program for all of its recreational players, including those ages 5 and 6 in its rookie/T-ball division up to ages 15-16/seniors. Over the past 25 years, Parkland Little League has had consistent participation, fandom, and made league history when it sent its 50/70 (intermediate) All Star team to the state tournament last year. That team may make a run for it again in a few months as several of the players are age-eligible to return!
Moving southwest on the local map is North Springs Little League, which has more than 300 players this season, and welcomes players who are league ages 7-16. Those games are held at North Community Park.
“We’ve had a great year so far, and with so many kids ages 7-10 this season, that gets me excited for what the future of our league may hold; we can help develop them into (even) better players,” said Mike Hendrix, who is in his second year as NSLL’s president. “Aside from just games and specifically scheduled team practices, we also offer skills clinics for both players and coaches.”
NSLL was represented a bit on the All Star circuit in 2015; they sent four teams to their respective state tournaments. One of them went to a regional tournament as well.
A couple miles down the road at Mullins Park, is where Coral Springs American/National Little League calls home. With approximately 260 players this season, they’ve pretty much been the nucleus of recreational baseball in the city for decades. Their program’s longevity speaks for itself, and CSALL President Tony Juliano highlighted his players, who are also ages 7-16.
“We don’t necessarily look for championships; we’re here to teach these kids about baseball while having fun,” said Juliano, who holds his presidential position for the third year. “We’re having a good, happy season, and have a lot of great coaches, players and parents.”
Juliano mentioned his league’s most recent accomplishment, when his Majors (12s) went to the state tournament in 2015.
When you drive by the fields and see those bright lights shining down on the baseball diamond or you hear crowds cheering, make a turn into the park and watch these young athletes keep one of the city’s recreational sports traditions alive!
