Hey, batter batter! If this refrain is familiar to you, there is a good chance that you grew up with Little League baseball.
Freshly cut grass in the outfield, the crack of the bat or the secret of the rally hat are fond memories of youth sports that resonate with us into adulthood.
Children that are involved in youth sports are more likely to do well in school and be deterred from trouble. Sports provide a physical outlet while teaching teamwork, responsibility, leadership and good sportsmanship.
One group in Vista has taught our youth valuable lessons about baseball and life since 1957.
Vista American Little League is a nonprofit, coed youth sports program that currently serves 284 children ages 5-12. Volunteers act as coaches, team managers, score keepers and umpires so the young ones can play ball. If any of these positions interest you, they could always use more people to ensure that each season is a success.
"The Little League emblem says it all: Loyalty, Character and Courage", says Vista American Little League President, Paul Roth Jr. He adds, "Little League is a fun, nurturing atmosphere that promotes these things and more. It is a great place to just be a kid and to grow physically and emotionally while spending the day at the park with family and friends."
Unfortunately, this group of dedicated volunteers and kids is having a difficult time finding a baseball field to call their own. This year the Vista American Little League was forced to leave their home field due to the need for water and soil testing.
Countless volunteer hours as well as generous donations were lovingly poured into the development and maintenance of the fields that are now overrun with weeds, dead grass and vandalism in their absence.
According to league President Paul Roth, "The City of Vista has been a great friend to our league and has bent over backwards, tapping many different resources to see that all the children get to play baseball."
But, the problem still remains: where the kids can play?
Special programs like the Challenger Division —— created for children with disabilities —— were put on hold because they don't have a home field to support it.
Little League is looking to developers, corporations and people that support the community to help find a permanent solution. When people come together, great things can happen and little kids can play ball. If you have ideas about how this league can find a field of their own contact Paul Roth Jr. at (760) 414-1886.
Jennifer Gilstrap is looking for stories to share about Vista. You can contact her at jengilstrap@cox.net.
