Rec Sports

Youth baseball champs recount miracle title run 35 years later

Published

5 months ago

August 3, 2025

As the sun started to drop below the horizon on July 25, the sound of chatter and laughter echoed throughout a small corner of Propst Park, only broken up by the distinct ping of an aluminum bat hitting a baseball.

Kevin Long stood just a few feet back from the field and smiled as he took it all in.

To most passersby, there’s nothing special about the field. It’s a big fenced-in patch of grass complete with three bases, a home plate and a dirt infield with a heap of more dirt in the center for the pitcher’s mound. Standard stuff. But to Long and the rest of the 1990 Columbus Southern youth baseball team – it’s hallowed ground.

It’s the site where they shocked onlookers and defeated an unbeaten Pascagoula Nationals squad in the 1990 Dixie Youth 9-10 state championship with a walk-off grand slam. Daniel Beard delivered the heroics, stepping up and sending the ball over the fence in left field, now where a row of trees are growing, to give Columbus the 8-6 upset. They team lifted Beard into the air when he finally got across home plate and then they got to lift that coveted trophy.

It was a magical moment that only baseball can provide – a moment that has stuck with the entire team.

The sport has a way of bringing people together through moments like that.

Whether it be the players on a team trying their best to win every game, and hopefully a championship, or spectators from all over the map coming together for a common purpose, the highs and lows of a season can form a lifetime bond with those who dare ride the rollercoaster together. Each dip, climb and drop provide the power to forge unforgettable memories.

35 years of memories

“I still remember (the grand slam) 35 years later and where it went,” said Ricky Crowder, who was an assistant coach on the team.

That’s why 35 years later, to the day, the team linked up for the first time since then to hang out, reminisce on their wild championship run and let their kids have their turn at playing on the field that gave them joy and a lifetime of memories.

But before the joy, Columbus Southern had to endure heartbreak. In the opening round of the week-long tournament, McGee knocked them out of the first and into the losers’s bracket by the score of 16-7. To make matters worse for the 9- and 10-year-old boys, McGee’s second baseman was a girl.

“We were like, ‘We’re done,’” Long said. ‘“We’re not coming back from that.’”

Doug Long, Kevin’s father and assistant coach of the team, said Columbus was caught off guard that game against a good team and a good second baseman.

“The second baseman, she was good. She should have been out there,” Doug Long said. “She held her own.”

The boys couldn’t believe they were already staring down the barrel of an early exit. Seeing that his team needed some verbal support, head coach Jackie Taylor gathered them up and gave them a little pep talk to boost their spirits.

“I said, ‘One more loss and we’re out of it,’” Taylor recalled. ‘“All these other teams that came in here will be playing in our park and we’ll be gone. So, we’ve got to step it up.’ And they all did.”

Bounce-back wins against the Columbus Nationals, 11-4, and Northwest Rankin, 10-7, put Southern back on track and set up a semifinal showdown with McComb. Then disaster struck. Utilizing some Columbus errors, McComb raced out to 5-0 lead, and Columbus’ season was in jeopardy once again.

“I got in the dugout and said, ‘Look here. We have to hold them to that right there for the rest of the game,’” Taylor said, holding up his hand in the shape of a zero.

Well, Columbus didn’t exactly match Taylor’s demands. They allowed McComb to score one more run – but in return they added seven runs of their own to steal the game 7-6 thanks to some nifty bunting. With the game tied at 6 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Kevin Long was walked and was soon joined by Carey Upton, who bunted to get on base. Long managed to steal third and was brought home for the winning run when Beard laid down another bunt.

Their efforts and comeback wins all culminated with a showdown for the title with Pascagoula – the reigning and unbeaten champs from the year before.

The Cardiac Kids versus Goliath

Columbus had to win two games and all Pascagoula needed was one victory to repeat. Physically, Pascagoula was much bigger, and Kevin Long said his team was nervous.

“You talk about Pascagoula, but we had some talent too,” Long said. “We had some talented kids as far as good defense up the middle to turn double plays, had enough pitching depth to get us there and we hit. We had some guys who were gamers.”

In front of a large crowd of onlookers, Columbus squeezed out a 2-1 win in Game 1 to force a winner-take-all in the following match thanks to Long’s three-hit performance from the mound and the quick thinking of catcher Blake Koenigsberger. A Pascagoula runner at third tried to get across home plate to tie the contest while he struggled to haul in a passed ball. At just the right moment, Koenigsberger got a hold of the ball and immediately turned toward home plate and tagged the runner out before he was safe.

Pascagoula was unbeaten no more.

“I think confidence built after that,” Doug Long said. “Going into that final game, we thought we could beat them.”

In Game 2, Pascagoula pounded the ball, including a home run, for a 4-1 lead heading into the third inning before Columbus finally found some offense and tied the game at 4, sending it into extra innings. The Nationals tacked on two more runs for the 6-4 lead and all hope seemed to be lost. But Eric Ballard bunted to get on base and was soon joined by Koenigsberger and Kevin Long, who were both walked. Then Beard emphatically brought them home. Both of his first two home runs were game winners. The first won the game that got them into the state tournament, the second won it.

Beard, who is now 45, remembers that at bat like it was yesterday.

“At the time I wasn’t thinking, ‘Hit a home run.’ I was thinking, ‘Don’t strike out. Put the ball in play. Make something happen,”’ Beard said.

When he made contact, he didn’t even know it was a homer until he got around first base. When he saw it fly over the fence, he cheered and raised his arms into the air in excitement as he made his way around the bases.

“I remember touching second, touching third. It was crazy,” he said, watching as the kids played around on the field.

When he got to home plate he was lifted into the air in celebration, something he’ll always remember.

“It was one of those things that, as a 10-year-old, it kind of impacted my life,” Beard said. “It was something that as I grew older, I always looked back on that moment. To win the state championship is a big deal. Nowadays, everybody plays tournament ball. City league isn’t as popular as it was back then. Back then, this was it; Dixie Youth Baseball was it.

“It’s just one of those things I always look back on and draw strength from and thought, ‘That was a time when we faced adversity and we got through it.’ I’ve always kind of built off of that a little bit. I mean, here we are 35 years later, and obviously it impacted all of their lives too. It means a lot and means so much to everybody on the team.”

He took a moment to soak in the field again with his son John Taylor, who had been swinging the bat his dad used to win the title.

“That’s what baseball’s all about,” he said. “Coming out here with your kids and sharing moments. That’s what makes baseball so special. We were 10-years-old, and here we are at 45-years-old and we’re still enjoying it and remembering it.”

Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.

Link

Rec Sports

Plattsburgh YMCA highlights free youth sports program

Published

33 seconds ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (ABC22/FOX44) – The Plattsburgh YMCA on Monday said they were proud that City of Plattsburgh officials approved $50,000 in funding to continue its free youth sports program for another year.

“Every time a child steps onto the court or the field, they learn the value of teamwork while building confidence, resilience, and determination,” said Kris Tate, COO for the Plattsburgh YMCA. “When communities invest in youth sports, we see healthier, stronger young people.”

According to the YMCA, more than 700 kids participated in its sports programs in 2025, and more than half of those, over 400, were City of Plattsburgh residents.

Busy Plattsburgh intersection poised for overhaul

Under the terms of the funding, which was approved earlier this month, sports are free for City of Plattsburgh kids ages 12 and under.

The association offers sports including basketball and tee ball – the next program is indoor soccer, which will be held in the spring, with registration open to the community on January 9.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.

Link

Rec Sports

Game Notes: How Carson City can strengthen youth baseball without making noise

Published

9 minutes ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Most of what shapes a kid doesn’t happen during the game.

It happens before the first pitch — when they’re putting on a jersey that fits, tightening their cleats, and slipping a glove onto their hand that feels like it belongs there. Those details seem small to adults. To a child, they’re everything.

In Carson City, as in every town, there are kids who want to play and families who do everything they can to make that happen. Registration gets paid. Schedules get rearranged. Rides get worked out. What doesn’t always fall into place is equipment — especially something as personal and essential as a glove.

That gap usually stays invisible. Quiet. Unspoken.

And that’s exactly why it matters.

A Simple Idea, Done the Right Way

The idea is not complicated: an annual glove drive for Carson City Little League.

Not a spectacle. Not a fundraiser built on attention. Just a dependable, once-a-year effort to make sure that kids who need a glove have one — without ever being asked to explain why.

No announcements. No labels. No moments a child carries with them longer than they should.

Handled discreetly by the league, supported by the community, and grounded in respect.

Why This Matters More Than It Sounds

A glove is more than leather and laces.

It’s confidence. It’s safety. It’s the difference between playing free and playing guarded. Between reaching for the ball and hoping it doesn’t come your way.

Kids feel those differences immediately. They also remember who noticed — and who didn’t.

Youth sports are supposed to be where kids learn how to belong. That lesson starts before a coach ever speaks.

This Isn’t Charity. It’s Stewardship.

This wouldn’t be about rescuing anyone. It would be about maintaining the field, in the broadest sense of the phrase.

Communities take care of their parks, their schools, their traditions. Youth sports deserve the same quiet upkeep. When we remove small barriers early, we prevent bigger ones later — loss of confidence, loss of interest, loss of belief that a place is meant for you.

That kind of care doesn’t require applause. It requires consistency.

Why Make It Annual

Because needs don’t announce themselves once and disappear.

Kids grow. Gloves wear down. Circumstances shift. An annual glove drive acknowledges that reality without judgment or urgency. It makes support part of the rhythm, not a reaction to crisis.

When something becomes routine, it becomes reliable. And reliability is what kids trust.

The Real Outcome

If this works the way it should, no one will talk about it much.

Kids will show up ready to play. Coaches will coach. Parents will watch. Baseball will happen.

And a few players — ones we’ll never identify, and don’t need to — will step onto the field feeling equal instead of exposed.

Those are the quiet things that let kids play.

And they’re worth doing right.

— Chris Graham is a Carson City native, writer and lifelong baseball fan. A former Western Nevada College play-by-play broadcaster, his work focuses on sports, culture and community. He can be followed on his Substack at https://substack.com/@gamenotes.

Link

Rec Sports

ECNL ANNOUNCES SPEAKERS FOR 2026 COACHING SYMPOSIUM, POWERED BY US CLUB SOCCER

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

RICHMOND, Va. (December 31, 2025) – The ECNL is excited to announce that the ninth annual ECNL Coaching Symposium, powered by US Club Soccer, will take place February 3-4, 2026, at Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Ten leaders from across the world will be sharing insights and expertise on a wide variety of topics during this incredible educational event.

The ECNL Coaching Symposium will feature experts with presentations addressing technical and tactical development, leadership and personal development, club and organizational development, and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow leaders and coaches, share ideas and best practices, and will return to their clubs with ideas to innovate and push the game forward. Get a sense of the size, scope and excitement of the event from last year!

Below is the fantastic lineup of speakers at this year’s event (listed alphabetically).

Neil Bath – Former Academy Director, Chelsea Football Club

Neil Bath has spent the majority of his professional career at Chelsea FC, where he built a distinguished reputation in youth development and football operations. He began with eight years as an Academy Coach before moving into a 20-year tenure overseeing the club’s Youth Development Programme. In his final two years, he served as Director of Football Development and Training Ground Operations.

During Bath’s leadership, Chelsea’s academy grew into one of the most recognised and productive talent pathways in global football. The youth team secured seven FA Youth Cup titles, reached four UEFA Youth League finals—winning two—and achieved multiple additional honours. The academy also r0ose to No. 1 in England for player productivity, with numerous graduates progressing to Chelsea’s first team or generating significant value through transfers.

In July 2024, Bath chose to step away from the club, taking a year to reflect and learn from a range of clubs, sports, and business environments. He now works as a consultant, supporting organisations with leadership development, coach education, and high-performance talent systems.

Amie Bracken – Director Of Brand Services, ECNL

With more than 20 years of experience, Amie Bracken is an accomplished brand builder and organizational leader who excels at harnessing creative talent to solve complex business challenges. After consulting the ECNL from its inception in 2008 to the rebrand in 2018, she recently joined the organization to help steer the brand through its continued growth and expansion.

As a brand and marketing strategist, she uses positioning, architecture and visual identity to build brands worth fighting for. She spent her career leading major initiatives across a wide variety of categories with companies like Cincinnati Children’s, Allergan, Smuckers, P&G, Bayer, and the Cincinnati Reds.

Bracken is driven by a commitment to cultivating a culture of connection and co-creation. A dedicated advocate, she champions both the work and the people behind it, defining success through the growth of her teams and the measurable progress of the brands she nurtures.

She holds a degree in Marketing and Communications from Georgetown College, is a three-time Boston Marathon qualifier, and a mediocre downhill skier.

Ceri Bowley – Chief Soccer Officer, NC Courage (NWSL)

Ceri Bowley is the Chief Soccer Officer for the North Carolina Courage where he oversees all player and staff development. Bowley worked as a first team assistant for Rangers FC in the Scottish Premier League and UEFA Champions League in 2023. Prior to that, he worked for many years for City Football Group (CFG) where he led the creation and implementation of the City Football Methodology, which remains in place at CFG clubs across the globe. Bowley holds a PhD in Sports Psychology and Coaching Science, and has worked with Barry Town, the English FA, Swansea City and Merthyr Town in various roles.

Thomas Christiansen – Men’s National Team Coach, Panama

Thomas Christiansen is the head coach of the Panama Men’s National Team. Since he took the reins of the Panama team in 2020, he has led the team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and to two CONCACAF Gold Cups, finished as finalists in both the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League, and finished as quarterfinalists in the 2024 Copa America. Prior to coaching Panama, Christiansen was the manager at Belgium’s Union SG (2019-2020), England’s Leeds United (2017-2018), and Cypress clubs APOEL (2016-2017) and AEK Larnaca (2014-2016). He led AEK Larnaca to their best ever league finish in both seasons (2nd place), and led APOEL to the league title and Round of 16 of the Europa League. As a player, Christiansen had a 15-year career with clubs in Denmark, Spain and Germany, leading the Bundesliga in scoring for Bochum in 2002-2003, and earned two caps for the Spanish National Team.

Andrea Cortez – Director Of Creative Services, ECNL

Andrea Cortez is a seasoned creative strategist and communications professional with a 10+ year track record of driving digital engagement and brand development in competitive sports environments. She currently serves as Director of Creative Services for the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), where she leads creative direction, social strategy, and digital content for one of the most visible and respected youth sports platforms in the country.

Her creative work and digital strategies have been featured by major national media outlets, including ESPN, ABC, and USA Today, and earned national honors from CoSIDA, SkullSparks, and others, underscoring her innovation, impact, and excellence in digital strategy and sports communications.

Before transforming youth sports marketing, Cortez spent over eight years in Division I athletics. She rebranded and elevated four university athletic departments, building creative infrastructure from the ground up and pioneering the long-form, athlete-driven content strategies now standard across collegiate and youth athletics.

A former Division I collegiate athlete, Cortez uniquely blends creative leadership, brand development, cross-platform storytelling, and media strategy. She holds a B.S. in Sports Management from North Carolina Central University and an M.S. in Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness from Troy University.

Russel Earnshaw – Former Premiership Rugby Player; Coach Educator

Since graduating from Cambridge in 1997 with a Masters in Economics and Mathematics, Russel Earnshaw has been involved in sport as a player and a coach. He played and coached in the World 7’s Series and in the Commonwealth Games, winning multiple events and finishing in 2013 with a silver medal in the 2013 7’s World Cup. He also coached the England U18’s and U20’s Men, U18’s Women and GB Students.

In 2013, Earnshaw took a two-year sabbatical to teach Economics (the best CPD he ever did!) and now works cross-sport (with organizations including NZ Rugby, GB Hockey and the Premier League) and in business (including Google and Abbott) with a focus on developing people, leadership, coaching, working as effective teams and creative thinking. He currently works with coaches from International to Champions League to grass roots. There is nothing earnshaw loves more than being on the pitch with coaches.

Brent Gleeson – CEO Exceler8; Former Navy SEAL

A Navy SEAL combat veteran, award-winning tech entrepreneur, three-time bestselling author, and Forbes leadership columnist, Brent Gleeson is a globally recognized expert and acclaimed speaker on topics ranging from resilience, mental toughness, leadership, and building high-performance teams to culture and organizational transformation.

Gleeson is the Founder and CEO of EXCELR8, an enterprise software and management consulting firm whose mission is to equip committed teams with the leadership tools and professional development necessary to navigate change and growth with accuracy and precision.

Gleeson holds degrees in finance and economics from Southern Methodist University, degrees in English Literature and Criminal Justice from Oxford University, and an MBA from the University of San Diego. He is the #1 bestselling author of Embrace the Suck: The Navy SEAL Way to an Extraordinary Life and TakingPoint: A Navy SEAL’s 10 Fail-Safe Principles for Leading Through Change. His third book, All In: The Pathway to Personal Growth and Professional Excellence, was released on December 2, 2025 and became an instant USA Today bestseller. Gleeson is married with four amazing children.

Doug Lemov – ECNL Coaching Methodology Advisor

Doug Lemov is the ECNL Coaching Methodology Advisor and an impactful educator of both teachers and coaches. He is the international best-selling author of the best-seller Teach Like a Champion and of the highly acclaimed The Coach’s Guide to Teaching. He is also the co-author of Practice Perfect, Reading Reconsidered, Teaching in the Online Classroom, and Reconnect. Lemov has been an instructor with the US Soccer Federation in their Pro License and other courses, and has consulted with coaches and sporting organizations around the world, including in MLB, the NBA, MLS, and more.

Stephen Torpey – Academy Director at Manchester United

Stephen Torpey, appointed Academy Director of Manchester United in September, is widely regarded as one of the most influential and forward-thinking leaders in youth development in English football. His career spans elite roles at Liverpool FC, Manchester City, and Brentford, where he has consistently transformed coaching environments and accelerated player pathways.

At Manchester City, Torpey played a central role in creating one of Europe’s most successful academy models — delivering three consecutive PL2 titles, multiple U18 national titles, and helping produce a generation of players who progressed into top European leagues. At Brentford, he led the academy’s full strategic rebuild and delivered the unprecedented jump from Category 4 to Category 2, redefining the club’s long-term development structure.

A former FA National School scholar and Liverpool FC professional, Torpey is also a highly respected keynote speaker and coach educator, contributing to the FA’s highest-level coaching awards. His leadership is recognised for combining innovation, clarity of vision, and a relentless commitment to developing world-class talent.

Drew Watson – ECNL Medical Advisor

Drew Watson, MD, MS, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Public Health and board certified in pediatrics and sports medicine. He is a team physician for the University of Wisconsin and Forward Madison FC in USL League One and serves as the ECNL Chief Medical Advisor. He is the Director of both the ECNL Center for Athlete Health and Performance and the University of Wisconsin Human Performance Laboratory, conducting research in pediatric exercise physiology, injury prevention and the impacts of injuries on well-being and mental

The 2026 ECNL Coaching Symposium is part of the league’s club and coach development platform, a key component in the league’s mission to Raise The Game by providing unique coach and club development opportunities to youth soccer coaches and organizations. The event is open to coaches regardless of league affiliation.

###

About the ECNL:

The ECNL is the nation’s leading youth soccer development platform for America’s top soccer players. The ECNL mission to provide the best youth sports experience in the world drives constant innovations in competitions and experiences for players, parents, families, coaches, referees, and partners. The ECNL has questioned convention and challenged the status quo of youth sport since 2009, pushing boundaries and striving for unmatched excellence. Together with its clubs and club leaders, the ECNL creates unforgettable memories and supports the development of youth players into college stars, professionals, world champions, and leaders.

www.TheECNL.com

ECNL FB: @TheECNL | ECNL IG: @TheECNL | ECNL X: @TheECNL

Link

Rec Sports

New youth sports complex planned for Big Bend area | Waukesha Co. News

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BIG BEND — A large, multiple-sport youth athletic complex is being proposed for farmland near the intersection of Big Bend Road, Town Line Road and Skyline Drive, a development that backers say would become one of the largest youth sports facilities in the region.

The project would transform agricultural land into a regional destination for youth baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse tournaments. Eric Weishaar, owner, presented the proposal for Breck Athletic Complex during the Nov. 20 Big Bend Plan Commission meeting.

The Big Bend Village Board and Plan Commission will hold a joint public hearing at 6 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Village Hall to hear comments on a request by Claire Roth, agent, and Weishaar to amend the Village of Big Bend Comprehensive Plan — Future Land Use Map. The proposed amendment would change approximately 42 acres from the Medium Density Residential to Commercial land use plan designation. The amendment is associated with related rezoning and conditional use requests for a proposed indoor/outdoor sports complex.

“This is going to be the first, really of its kind in the area. It’s going to be the biggest in the area, probably almost in the state,” said Weishaar.

“The development will include six turf baseball fields, a championship baseball field with plaza and seating, seven fullsize soccer fields, three futsal fields, four lacrosse fields, and an indoor turf facility totaling 155,000 square feet for year-round baseball, soccer, and lacrosse training. Supporting amenities include concessions, restrooms, playgrounds, fitness trails, and plazas. Complementary uses such as a craft bar/restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, gas station, and future retail spaces will provide services for visitors and residents,” according to project documents.

The project will be developed in a series of eight stages.

Weishaar said national tournament operators are already committed to long-term leases of 25 to 30 years.

“These are going to be long-term leases that they’re going to enter into. … So they are going to be here for a long time,” he said.

One of those partners would be SC Wave, a huge Milwaukee Wave–affiliated soccer club. According to the developers, the club is seeking a permanent home for its growing programs.

“They rent places, spaces from all over the place, and they really want to consolidate. They’re actually pretty anxious to announce in their club, hey everybody, we’re going to have a permanent home,” Weishaar said.

Project designers emphasized that the complex is intended to be visually appealing and compatible with surrounding areas.

He said he doesn’t want it to look cheap or industrial. He said they want something families can come to, not a concert venue or nightlife type of option. Tournaments are typically over by 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.

“This is not something that is going on all night,” he said.

Lighting was also discussed as a key concern, particularly given nearby residential areas. The developers said modern LED field lighting would be used to reduce light spill.

“The lighting design will respect adjacent land uses, including nearby residential areas. Where appropriate fixtures will utilize dark sky-compliant standards, directional optics, and shielding as needed to limit glare, light spill, and sky glow onto adjacent properties. Lighting placement, orientation, and performance will be evaluated to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses and compliance with applicable regulations,” documents said.

Weishaar said these aren’t the old-style lights you see at some facilities. The lights would be very focused, very controlled.

Construction would be completed in phases, beginning with the soccer fields, which developers said could be operational relatively quickly.

“If we can break ground, you know, this coming spring,” Weishaar said, “I’m anticipating that we can have those working for them, even if it’s just the fields and the parking lot.”

Baseball and softball fields would follow, with a targeted opening in spring 2027 to allow tournament operators time to schedule events.

“They start advertising their tournaments usually six months or more,” Weishaar said.

Developers said the complex would draw families who stay locally for entire weekends, creating demand for hotels, restaurants and retail.

“We’re going to be attracting not only the local clubs and teams, but we’re going to be bringing in a lot of out-of-state clubs and teams that are going to be coming here all summer long, every weekend for the next couple of decades,” Weishaar said.

Plans also include potential outlot development along Highway 164 for food, lodging and other services tied to the complex.

The project will require zoning and site plan approvals before construction can begin. Developers have asked local officials whether the review process can be expedited to meet club timelines.

Weishaar added they want to work with the community and do this the right way.

Link

Rec Sports

Families weigh costs and benefits as year-round youth sports industry grows in Wisconsin | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Heat is rising off the turf at Kaukauna High School’s football field. With the heat index more than 100 degrees many local school districts made changes to high school and middle school sports practice and game schedules and times.

PC: Fox 11 Online

FOX VALLEY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Youth sports have become a year-round reality for many families, as more and more indoor sports facilities are being built in Wisconsin.

“I try to fill that gap for some of the boys,” said Rick Cavaiani, owner/founder of Cavaiani Baseball Training in Little Chute.

Training starts as young as eight years old

Teams of 10-year-olds and 11-year-olds scrimmaged while off of school for Christmas break Monday afternoon. Cavaiani serves players from ages eight to 18, providing structured training beginning in November.

“I feel a lot more prepared than normal teams would, because they don’t practice in the winter,” said Garrett Reukauf, who plays for Cavaiani’s 11-and-under team.

Reukauf hopes to become the next Alex Breckheimer of Chilton or Ethan Cole of Fond du Lac, going from Northeast Wisconsin to professional baseball.

“When I first started playing travel baseball, my facility was an old glass-blowing company,” said Cole, who was drafted by the Colorado Rockies last year and played for 5 Star Wisconsin, based in Oshkosh. “It was a super small building — two cages, maybe a room for 90 feet.”

The current setup includes nearly a full infield and multiple batting cages, a weight room, high-tech devices to track his pitching and a small locker room. He doesn’t think he would have been drafted without the facilities or coaching at 5 Star — believing those to be necessities in Wisconsin.

“We’re inside the majority of the year,” said Evan Wick, the co-owner of 5 Star Wisconsin, when asked about the disadvantage Midwest baseball players have. “Kids down south get to see the real ball fly at their own real field every single day.”

The indoor training is producing results.

“When I graduated in 2002, there were four of us in the state of Wisconsin, including myself, that eventually played Division I baseball,” said Cavaiani. “I think this past year, there were almost 50.”

Concerns about longevity, injuries and cost

There are certainly concerns about year-round sports.

It costs thousands of dollars per player, as youth sports has become a $30-40 billion industry
Sports injury has become the second leading cause of emergency room visits for youth
Burnout is on the rise

It’s for the parent to decide whether the risk is worth the reward. But from November to April — for some players once a week, and others three-to-four times — you may find a 10-year-old or a college student playing baseball in Northeast Wisconsin.

Link