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Players needed for summer ball league PDF Print E-mail
Sports
Written by Gene Morris   
Wednesday, 01 April 2009 07:00
The name may have changed, but they are still playing baseball in Paola this summer. After decades of playing Little League baseball, officials in Paola decided to make the move to Cal Ripken baseball.

For the most part, nothing will change.

Paola Youth Baseball will offer T-Ball, Rookie Ball (coach or machine pitch), Minor Division baseball, Major Division baseball, and Babe Ruth League baseball like it always has.

Numbers are down right now for Paola Youth Baseball. The deadline originally set for March 30 has been extended two weeks to April 14.

Traveling teams have been formed to compete in a roster league in Gardner. The league plays games once or twice a week.
Players on a traveling team playing in the Gardner league can also play in Paola Youth Baseball.

Jody Garrison of Paola Youth Baseball said it would not be difficult to accommodate players from the Gardner roster league, if they are interested in playing baseball in Paola this summer as well.

I know teams and players are already committed to the Gardner league. I understand wanting to keep a group of players together to play baseball.

Having said that, if there is an opportunity to play in both leagues, why not?

There are certainly advantages to playing in two leagues. First of all, players would get to play more games.

Paola Youth Baseball moved from Little League to Cal Ripken to allow its players more competition. Many teams in our area were already playing Cal Ripken baseball.

By making the move this summer, players in the Cal Ripken League in Paola will be able to travel and play games against teams in Louisburg and Osawatomie.

Cal Ripken baseball offers several other competitive options for local players as well. The 11- and 12-year-old division has the option of playing 60- or 70-foot bases.

Moving to the 70-foot base paths allows for more game-like situations for players to develop. These situations include lead-offs, stealing bases, pitching from the stretch, holding runners on, working on pitch-outs, double steals and many other scenarios.

By the old rules for Paola Little League, the Major Division played with 60-foot base paths and there was no leading off or stealing.

Baseball has always been a great way to make new friends.

And, I know players on traveling teams are already playing with friends.

But, why not make some new ones, too?

The additional expense for playing in both leagues would be minimal. Most of the games in Paola Youth Baseball would be played locally.  The only road games would be against Louisburg and Osawatomie.

What’s not to like about playing baseball against rivals like Louisburg and Osawatomie?

There are other benefits to playing in both leagues.

One is a tradition of baseball in Paola and the future of baseball here.

The ball diamonds in Wallace Park, Russell Field, the Major Field, the Minor Field, the Rock Stadium and others have seen a lot of baseball over the years and given players an opportunity to learn the game, share with friends and be part of a team.

This is where the likes of Paola High School hall of fame pitcher Matt Stallbaumer, single-season home run record-holder Jon Smail and others grew up playing ball.

Not every family has the resources to let their child play in the Gardner roster  league. Some players are counting on Paola Youth Baseball.

For Paola baseball to be viable, it needs players.

Without it, I think we all  lose someting.

To register a child for the league, contact Jody Garrison at 294-2701.
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Chris Partezana: ...
Registration can be made in person at the Paola Price Chopper Saturday 4/4/2009 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Registration can be made by mail by picking up a form at the Paola Price Chopper, or Design 4 Sports, or the Law offices of Steven A Jensen or printing the form from http://www.PaolaLittleLeague.com/handouts . Registration can be made online at http://www.PaolaLittleLeague.com
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April 03, 2009

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