Youth baseball academy returns to New Bern, reviving local legacy

NEW BERN, N.C. — Young athletes took to the field Saturday at William Vail Memorial Park as the Youth Baseball Academy, organized by the Stanley White Recreation Center, kicked off its program. Over the next five weeks, children will be honing their T-ball skills and running bases, reviving a baseball tradition in New Bern.

The city has a rich baseball history, significantly influenced by Stanley A. White. His son, Billy Moore, who serves as the Stanley A. White Recreation Center’s enrichment coordinator, emphasized the importance of reintroducing the sport to the community.

“Baseball has been absent from this community for some while now. I mean seven to eight to nine years. And so this is one reason why we call this our seed planting time,” said Moore.

Moore highlighted the program as a beneficial way to keep children active, particularly during the summer months when opportunities for trouble can increase. The camp collaborates with local baseball teams and currently caters to children aged 5 through 9. Starting July 12, the program will welcome kids aged 10 to 14. Spots are still available for those interested in joining. For more information click here.