Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1148140
On Deck: Youth Leagues Little League and Babe Ruth continue to define the game at its purest level. W idespread youth programs such as Little League and Babe Ruth League are important when it comes to introducing kids to baseball and softball and the leagues help steer and inspire players to participate on school teams and beyond. "Little League remains the world's largest youth sports organization with more than two million children playing at all levels of Little League Baseball and Softball in more than 80 countries," reports Kevin Fountain, director of media relations for Little League International. Additionally, Little League Baseball and Softball is available for kids ages 4 to 16, and the Little League Challenger Division, an adaptive base- ball program for ages 4 to 18 (or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school) is designed for individuals with physical and intellectual chal- lenges. The Senior League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 15 and above (no maximum age). To help educate and spur participation among young kids ages 4-12, Little League launched a free, digital education resource in 2015 called "Little League University" that provides resources, information and even a 10-week T-ball curriculum to help coaches, parents and volunteers maintain and develop interest in the game. "Along with gaining the interest of its players, Little League International remains focused on educating, developing and retaining its high- quality volunteers. The more knowledgeable and committed its volunteers are, the more enjoyable the Little League experience becomes for all those involved," says Fountain. On the downside, Fountain observes that youth sports as a whole, including Little League, have seen a decline in participation due to an expanding universe of recreational opportunities and choices. "Specialization has also risen, where children pick one activity and don't sample others," he says. Over at Babe Ruth League, the news is mostly good, with 115 new leagues registered in 2019. "Our 16-18 division is slightly down from 2018 because many players are going to showcase events. But our Cal Ripken division for ages 4-12 is doing well," says Steven Tellefsen, CEO of Babe Ruth League, noting that more kids enjoy playing on a 70-foot diamond, and more leagues are switching from 60-foot to 70-foot diamonds. "Our T-ball division for kids ages 4-to-6 has increased this year, which is a good sign for us, and girls' fast-pitch softball for ages 4-to-18 is also doing well," he says. Tellefsen believes the main challenges facing youth baseball and softball are that "a lot of kids are playing a sport year-round at a young age, and travel baseball is cutting into league participation." n teaminsightmag.com July/August 2019 ~ Team Insight 25 www.tcksports.com TeamInsight_19_Diamond Builder.indd 1 1/18/19 11:39 AM