At various youth baseball and softball complexes nationwide, there are signs directed at spectators and parents urging them to manage their expectations — and emotions — during the games. After all, these are kids, not professional players, and the overall goal is to have fun.

Kids’ sports are exciting, sometimes exasperating, and, of course, winning is more fun than losing. Sometimes, the heat of competition leads to confrontation and bad behavior. 

“As an organization we believe very strongly in creating a welcome and safe environment for everybody that participates in our programs,” said Chris Adams, president of the Evanston Baseball & Softball Association (EBSA). “In travel baseball and travel softball things can get heated. You get into tournaments. You really want to do well and play well. Our travel teams are in a league, and of course you want to win your League championship. You want to beat your archrivals.”

The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.

The talk of the town during football season was the long-awaited showdown between Long Beach Poly and Millikan at DeHaven Stadium. With tarps and fencing put up around the entire field, the bleachers packed with fans, and TV cameras along the sidelines, the stage was set for the most-anticipated Moore League football game in years.

It’s rare that a regular season matchup would crack a year-end Top 10 list, Long Beach teams regularly winning section and state championships year after year, but this one lived up to the hype. The Rams’ powerful running game racked up over 300 yards and 6 TDs on the ground, led by a monster 258-yard, 4-TD game by Anthony League in their 53-40 win over the Jackrabbits, snapping their 15-year, 81-game Moore League winning streak.

Millikan trailed 26-14 at halftime, but League’s physical running wore down the Poly defense in the second half–one the Rams won by a margin of 39-14.

“My mind is blank when I’m running, whoever’s in my face I’m either gonna make a move or I’m gonna run through you,” said League. “Half the time they were in my face, so I had to run through them.”

The victory helped Millikan complete an unbeaten league season, securing their first outright league title since 1973.

“We wanted it,” said Millikan coach Romeo Pellum. “Our kids wanted it more. They were hungry. They left it all on the field today, and that’s what we needed to beat that team.”

Millikan had been knocking on the door in recent seasons, playing some close games against the Jackrabbits–including an overtime thriller at Vets in 2023. But this past season was when the Rams finally got over the hump, taking the rivalry against Poly to the next level. Surely both teams are looking forward to the rematchlater this year on Oct.10.

BELOIT — The Beloit Sky Carp are inviting young ballplayers to step up to the plate for an unforgettable summer experience. The Sky Carp Youth Baseball Camp returns August 12-14, offering three days of free, high-energy instruction at beautiful ABC Supply Stadium. Open to kids ages 9-12, the camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to noon and is made possible by the generous support of First National Bank and Trust.

This action-packed camp focuses on baseball fundamentals in a fun, positive environment. Campers will receive expert instruction from Sky Carp coaches and players in key areas including pitching, hitting, fielding, throwing, and base running, while also building confidence, sportsmanship, and a love for the game.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things we do all year,” said Zach Brockman, President of the Sky Carp. “This camp brings kids from across the Stateline together for three days of fun, friendship, and learning. It’s a chance to show young players that baseball is more than a game — it’s a community.”

Each participant will also receive:

●  Daily lunch

●  Player autograph and picture opportunities

●  A camp T-shirt

●  Awards for all participants

●  Pre-game on field parade on August 14

●  A free ticket to each Camp participant to the Sky Carp home games on August 12, 13, and 14

●  Additional game tickets for family and friends are available for purchase on the Sky Carp website. 

To cap off the experience, campers will be recognized in a special pre-game on-field parade on Thursday, Aug. 14, with awards for all participants. 

Only 200 spots are available, and registration closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4.

To Register:

●  Visit skycarp.com

●  Click on ABC Supply Stadium in the top menu.

●  Select FNBT Youth Baseball Camp.

●  Or call the Sky Carp Ticket Office at 608-362-2272 for assistance.

●  Additional game tickets for family and friends are available for purchase at skycarp.com.

ABC Supply Stadium 

ABC Supply Stadium opened in 2021 along the Rock River. As a High-A affiliate of the prestigious Miami Marlins, the Sky Carp host 66 home games each season. In addition to baseball, the versatile stadium serves as a venue for hundreds of events, becoming a central hub for community engagement.

Garrison Henderhot, 8, of Marietta is one of 16 finalists competing in the National Junior Ranger competition sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. He was fourth in the count as of Tuesday. (Photo provided)

MARIETTA — A youth from Marietta is in the finals for the National Junior Ranger competition sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation.

Garrison Hendershot, 8, is among the 16 finalists competing for the most votes at https://jr-ranger.org/2025/garrison-626d. Voting ends at 10 p.m. Thursday, and Garrison is No. 4 in the tally so far.

The winner receives $20,000 and will be featured in the “Ranger Rick” magazine for kids.

Garrison enjoys the outdoors and camping. His favorite place is the Grayson Highlands, a picturesque area with much wildlife, according to Garrison. The highlands are south of West Virginia in Virginia near the border with North Carolina.

“There’s lots of wild horses there,” he said. “And the view.”

Garrison Hendershot of Marietta at the Grayson Highlands in Virginia. Hendershot, 8, the son of Emily and Mark Hendershot, is in the finals for the National Junior Ranger competition sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. Voting ends at 10 p.m. Thursday at https://jr-ranger.org/2025/garrison-626d. (Photo provided)

Garrison’s favorite wild animal is the elk.

“Because they make a cool noise and they’re really strong,” he said.

He enjoys exploring in creeks and finding crawdads and salamanders, along with backpacking for miles to camp under stars.

“I also love that nature gives wild game and I can hunt with my family to provide healthy meals,” he wrote for the Wildlife Federation. “I love nature and want to give back by teaching others to love it as much as me.”

Backpacking is his favorite outdoor activity, which gives him the opportunity to “hike up climbs, eat wild blackberries, find salamanders, see wild longhorns, meet wild ponies, drink fresh-fresh mountain water, sweat and work hard, set up camp under the stars, hang a hammock, explore deciduous forests, keep food in bear cans, sometimes roast marshmallows and have the best days and sleeps outside in nature,” Garrison said.

He hopes to be an advocate for nature and wildlife as the Junior Ranger.

“Getting to tell people about God’s creation,” he said.

Garrison is a member of Trail Life in Vienna and its Hawk Patrol for boys age 7-8. Garrison is the son of Emily and Mark Hendershot and the grandson of Kathy and Roger Bonnette of Marietta and Gary and Vickie Hendershot of Marietta. Garrison is named after Gary, his mother said.

His sister, Lilly, 10, also participates in the camping adventures.

Garrison was in an original field of about 100,000 participants in the competition and was chosen as a finalist after a survey by the National Wildlife Federation, Emily said.

“He’s gotten way further than we expected,” she said.