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 Shelbyville youngsters hold up their trophy from their performance in the 5-6 coach-pitch division. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
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To further illustrate the manner in which the Bedford County kids controlled the competition, no less than six of our hometown teams played in the championship games.
The Shelbyville Screaming Eagles (25-3) won the 5-6 coach pitch division, scoring 157 runs while allowing 24, and defeated the Shelbyville All-Stars in the finale.
Coach Porter Hardison's 7-8 Screaming Eagles team won their draw in the lower divisions.
In the upper division, the Shelbyville Shox won the 9-10 All-Star kid-pitch championship game with a thrilling come-from-behind win in the final inning. And, in the 11-12 division, the Shelbyville All-Stars got a two-out, game-winning home run off the bat of Holt Parsons to defeat the Shelbyville Soaring Eagles in one of the best games in recent memory.
Not bad for a small town with only two ball fields for approximately 550 children (and growing about 10 percent every year) ages 5-12 to hone their skills at any given time.
Four state championship teams not only validates the direction that the Shelbyville youth baseball sports program is on and the numerous people that spend so many hours of volunteer time to perpetuate its success, it also illustrates a varied and deep talent base that we will all enjoy for many years to come.
Successful high school programs have excellent feeder programs at the middle school level, but it all starts at the youth level and we as a community should concentrate our efforts at expanding our youths' opportunity to play the great American past-time.
I readily admit that I am not a politician, and my wife will certainly attest to the fact that I am not an economist, but it seems that it is in the best interest of our ever-expanding baseball program to find a way to provide for more playing surfaces so that young children are not forced to start their season in freezing weather and stay out until 10 or 10:30 on school nights in order to complete their season.
This has been a problem for the entire nine years that I have been involved with local sports, and I am told by long-time observers that it has been an issue for many more years beyond that.
One solution may be the modification of the now-defunct Babe Ruth League's two fields that are adjacent to the youth league ballpark.
In any event, it does appear that it is time to for the powers that be to get serious about moving forward with a new sports complex.
I realize that it is easier said than done, but the return on investment to our community in the form of healthy activities for kids pales in comparison to the cost of expansion.
Speaking about return on investment, think of the economic impact that four or five tournaments consisting of 20 or so teams each weekend would have.
 Shelbyville Screaming Eagle pitcher Reid Welch throws to first from his knees after a diving stop of a ground ball. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
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"I can't give even a ball park figure, but I would say that there was a significant amount of money spent by the participants that weekend.
"We have the funds and could make two 5-6 year old fields out of the small Babe Ruth field and that alone would allow us to host several more tournaments a season. It would also give us the capability of bidding and possibly hosting a state tournament ourselves."
I am a lifelong baseball fan and played the game in one form or other for 40 years.
I am also old school and feel that the most important reason to play is for pride, and that no recognition should be necessary other than that of your teammates. But I must admit that the dream of running onto the field and hoisting the championship trophy in the air for all to see is quite an enticing one for me, as I know it is for many others.
I believe that with teamwork, hard work and determination, anything is possible.
I also believe that we have a very good governing body in Bedford County that will continue to work to find solutions to these issues.
Let's all hope that it's sooner, rather than later.
Jimmy Jones is a Times-Gazette sports writer.
We not only need more baseball fields, but soccer fields as well.
Forget the "moveable" mounds, those things lead to more injuries than you can count.
I TO WOULD LIKE TO CONGRADULATE ALL THE TEAMS THAT BROUGHT HOME TROPHIES WHETHER IT WAS CHAMPIONSHIP OR RUNNER UP. ITS GREAT TO HAVE KIDS WHO PLAY THEIR HEART OUT FOR A SPORT THEY LOVE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COACHES WHO REPRESENTED SHELBYVILLE ALSO. HAVING MORE FEILDS WOULD BE GREAT FOR SEASON GAMES AND PRACTICE FOR SOME PLACE ARE NOT SAFE FOR BASEBALL PRACTICE. I AM REALLY BIG ON CONVERTING THE LITTLE BABE RUTH FIELD TO TWO SMALLER FIELDS. BUT I ALSO FEEL THIS WOULD BE ONLY TEMPORARY FOR OUR LEAGUE KEEPS GROWING AND GROWING. WE ARE IN NEED FOR A SPORTS PLEX. USE THE MONEY FOR THE FUTURE AND THE CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE.
The main point to all of this is that Bedford County teams in all sports need more fields. We as a county are growing in all types of activties, not just baseball. There is a need for all kids, teenagers, and adults. When you are involved in some type of activity, you are too busy to be involved in illegal activtities. Keep them busy, Keep them safe, with baseball, soccer, football, tennis, dance, cheerleading, swimming, softball, you name it. These children and young adults are our most important asset.
Thanks for info EASTON. I just hate to see us destroy something already there and built. We may need it someday.
I know the 18&up teams only use the large field and Harris Middle played their games on the large field. I believe there may have been one travel team that held a tournament and used the small field one time this year. Im not sure if the they used the small one during the wood bat tournaments or not. But that one time this year is all that I know of.
That single Babe Ruth field is still being used. There may have been as many as 3 or 4 tournaments there this summer that is already bringing in money to town. You are wanting to kick someone else out to supply your own needs. It just doesn't make since to me to get rid of something that is still being used when there is plenty of unoccupied land around. If it wasn't being used it would be a different story.
To clarify on the use of Babe Ruth Fields, the league proposes the modification of the small Babe Ruth Field, as only the large field is used by other teams during play. Also, the league did purchase and use two portable pitching mounds on the adult softball fields this season.
"One solution may be the modification of the now-defunct Babe Ruth League's two fields that are adjacent to the youth league ballpark."
Even though Babe Ruth is now-defunct one of the fields is still the home field for the Harris Eagles. They also won their district tourney and let's not forget Liberty winning theirs also. There are still many travel teams who use those fields and play home games there. All the champions listed in the article are going to get older and they may want to play Babe Ruth when they reach the right age. If you get rid of Babe Ruth fields; when these kids become older and want to play Babe Ruth then your right back where you started. The softball fields with removable mounds may be the best idea I've heard from below. I thought I saw an article last week about the land next to the park being for sale. I will try to find it. Buy it and place the fields there.
I have 4 boys that play baseball, one in a different age group! I see ALOT of needs that the ballpark needs instead of fulfilling the WANTS first! There is a need for more fields or changing Babe Ruth into 2 fields, there is a need for a BETTER/ MORE SANITARY concession stand & bathrooms,the kids need BETTER dug outs!! there are alot of WANTS that I am hearing but I think if the league has raised as much money as they say and propose to re-do the backstops??? I think that would be a "cosmetic" upgrade instead of safety & sanitary (as we need) I get tired of going inyto the NASTY bathrooms that NEVER even have soap or papertowels and the Concession stands are disgusting!! I think these should be at the top of the list, but who am I to choose?? I DID pay over for my kids to play, I DID help in the fundraisers, I DID pay my share at the gates, I DID support the BCB league by purchasing at the concession stand.
Most of all, I DO have 4 children that play baseball & I am just saying that I hope Needs & Wants are discussed when the money is spent.
I hope we Do get the Fall Ball started!!! THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!
Please Be sure and Let Every one Know that Shelbyville has a great Baseball Program.
Also The 5&6 Year old AllStars are very Gracefully Accepting Thier Runner Up Trophy. The 5&6 Year old SCREAMING EAGLES Accepted Thier State Championship Trophy Just a Few Seconds After.Thanks To Jimmy Jones For All The Great Coverage Of All Thing Youth Baseball This and Every Sumer.
Way to go Shelbyville!!! I would like to say congrads to all teams whom played for a state title this past weekend. I seen some great plays from ages 5 to 17. After reading the article I am sure you can tell what all ages won state for Shelbyville this year, but just a little more info. 5&6 Year Old State Champs = Shelbyville Screaming Eagles, 5&6 Year Old State Runners Up = Shelbyville All-Stars, 7&8 Year Old State Champs X2 = Shelbyville Screamin Eagles, 7&8 Year Old State Runners Up = Shelbyville Cubs, 9&10 Year Old State Champs = Shelbyville Shox, 11&12 Year Old State Champs = Shelbyville All Stars, 11&12 State Runners Up = Shelbyville Soaring Eagles, 17 & Under American Leagion State Champs = Shelbyville Central. This is the first time I have ever heard of one communtity winning State in every age group they have played in. I would like to say a special thanks to Jimmy Jones for the great coverage on our league this weekend. Also I would like to thank all the parents whom supported the kids this year from bedford county. I seen parents off of teams staying and cheering on the other Shelbyville teams wishing them the best. Unfortunatlly there can only be one STATE CHAMP and we brought 5 home with us. I would also like to say a special thanks to the BCB Board members, Bryan Dial,and Jakob Stephons.If the city can come with some land or more places to build these ball fields I can guarantee you they will be taken care of.Anyone who has read this article please go by the Rec Center and take a look at these 4 State Champion Trophies which stand 5 feet tall, they will be on display in the lobby. I realize summer ball is just coming to a close. but if there is anyone interested in playing fall ball. Please give me a call. The more the kids play the more state champions we will have. Fall ball will start at the end of August and go through September. Games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights with teams only practicing 1 or 2 nights a week.
WAY TO GO SHELBYVILLE ALL STARS!!!! I have attended some of these games and I am so proud that these boys respresented Shelbyville in a respectful and enthusiatic manner. I was so glad to see that during the state Championship games these guys NEVER QUIT and played a great game. Good job coaches for making sure these boys had a good attitude and great sportsmanship and most of all THE HAD FUN!!! That is truly what baseball should be.
550 children participating in baseball, instead of getting into trouble. Build the fields. Get more children involved.
Here is the perfect opportunity for Bedford County to speak up. After reading the story everyone needs to take a moment to give a quick response. I have been told that our local community leaders read responses to these headline stories so hopefully as a whole our voices can be heard. I would also ask that this be forwarded to anyone else you might know that participates in or supports our Bedford County Baseball League. While I myself am not sure what the total solution is for our league, I do know that maintaining a fair amount of games for each team becomes more challenging each year. Schedules have been pushed earlier in the year and run later at night, rain out games are cancelled as well as local league tournaments just so we have enough time to get our regular season games in. We have grown since 2005 from 35 teams with about 12 children per team to 41 teams with about 12 children per team but the facilities we have available have not changed. While this may not sound like a lot of growth that accounts for an additional 82 games that have to be scheduled. At our current rate of growth, some time in the near future, our only options are going to be to turn children away or play less games per age group. Right now we average playing about 2 games per week per team so I don't think that there is much of a possibility of a reduction here and I personally do not want to see children turned away. In the past year I have read articles in the paper addressing the growing need for sports facilities in Bedford County but then the excitement just seems to fizzle away. As a group lets stand strong and let our community leaders here from us, then if we continue to get stalemated by our local commissioners lets find some that will listen next election time.
We dont need more little league fields. A portable mound changes ALL softball fields into a youth baseball field. Leave Babe Ruth fields alone, they are the only regulation sized fields in town. The High Schools wont allow someone other than a High School to host a tournament on their fields.