It’s all about the smiles… ECCYBSA brings happiness to area youth through baseball and softball
Published 12:19 pm Friday, August 14, 2020
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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Whenever the game gets boring, you have to entertain yourself some way as evidenced by this young player.
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Hey coach, do I have to wear this hat?
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A young lady legs out a base hit in coach-pitch action.
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With her hat on backwards this player seems to be saying, "Hey batter, batter how about hitting one this way!!"
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This young man heaves the baseball across the diamond after making a nice stop on a ground ball.
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This player is trying to figure out what to do with the baseball after chasing down a hit to the outfield.
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A Power Ranger player makes contact with the baseball as his coach looks on.
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This Power Ranger makes a throw as his coach seems to be pointing out where to throw the ball to.
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A batter makes solid contact on a pitched baseball.
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This batter can almost sense a base hit coming on as the ball nears the bat.
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This young lady is getting ready to make a strong throw to first base after making a stop near the pitching mound.
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This batter almost appears to be taking the baseball terminology keeping your eye on the ball literally.
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The ball eludes this infielder on the hop.
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A batter puts the baseball into play during the 9-12-year-old baseball league play.
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A batter fouls off a pitch at the plate.
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An Oriole batter puts a solid piece of the bat on the baseball in action from 9-12-year-old play.
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A Power Ranger baserunner goes into second base headfirst to avoid a tag.
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A coach shows his player the proper stance and how to hold the bat.
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The whole purpose of youth league baseball is to have fun and learn. Mission accomplished!
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This young runner is legging it out toward third base in Coach Pitch baseball.
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A runner attempts to beat a throw to third base.
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This Braves runner comes up just short of third base after an Orioles player applies the tag.
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An Orioles runner looks to see if he can advance to third base.
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The Orioles second baseman can't get to the bag in time to apply a tag on the Braves runner.
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An Oriole pitcher prepares to deliver an offering to the plate.
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An A.O. Smith Braves pitcher looks to ring up another batter.
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The Braves baserunner barely beats out a throw to second base on a steal attempt.
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This Braves right fielder makes an outstanding stop on a ball hit to the outfield.
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An Orioles batter watches as a pitch goes by just high out of the strike zone.
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This Oriole right fielder gets set to fire the baseball back to the infield after coming up with the ball after a base hit.
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The Orioles third baseman releases the throw toward first base to retire a Braves baserunner.
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A Pep Screen batter makes a hefty cut on a pitch during Coach Pitch action.
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Pep Screen's first base coach talks with a baserunner.
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A Pep Screen runner makes it safely to first base after a bang-bang play.
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This shortstop is getting ready to throw the ball in after it comes in from the outfield.
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This Pep Screen baserunner has his focus on third base.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
There is one thing about summer that kids who love to play baseball and softball look forward to and that is putting on the T-shirt, baseball pants, and cleats and joining with your teammates on a dusty ball field to square off with another opponent.
After a week of rainy weather delayed the start, the last couple of weeks have been filled with the sound of the ball hitting the leather of a glove as it clinks off a metal bat as games featuring T-ball have been played at the ballpark in Black Bottom behind the old armory, softball being played behind the Carter County jail, and coach-pitch and 9-12-year-old baseball being played at Lions Park.
The games have been competitive but that’s not the main purpose behind the league as it’s all about kids enjoying a favorite pastime of summer.
Many can look back over the years and remember as a youngster being able to play Little League, Babe Ruth, Dizzy Dean, and other league play during their time growing up.
I remember the days of playing Little League and to this day I can remember the smell more than anything of how the dirt of the field even had a different smell than other dirt for some odd reason.
Then there was the waffle of air coming from the concession stand of hot dogs and chili being cooked as well as the tantalizing smell of fresh popcorn just being popped.
But the games are something that I will never forget as I played for Athletics Unlimited and for two years we were untouchable going 28-0 in those two seasons.
Yet it is was not the wins that I care about or remember the most but the friendships that were carved over those two seasons will never be forgotten – Jeff Mann, Donnie Ratliff, David Stapleton, Rex Gardner, and Gary Gardner along with my head coach Howard Gardner are people whom I will forever remember from my playing days.
Back then, often the ball fields were the only source for neighborhood boys and girls to find some fun during their summer breaks from school.
While today many have taken it a step further by engaging in competitive travel ball, others just like being able to get outdoors regardless of whether they get a hit or if they are the pitcher or the catcher.
This year’s league has shown the dedication of a host of coaches who love the game and enjoy teaching the younger ones to enjoy the game as much as they do.
And while the kids are having fun on the field, parents and grandparents have been busy taking pictures to capture moments that their son or daughter can look back on as they get older to remember their time playing on the baseball or softball diamond.
Coaches have gone the extra step in wearing masks due to coronavirus even when the temperatures have been well into the 90’s on several days.
But the bottom line of the season so far is that those kids who are participating are enjoying themselves and being able to have a time to socialize with other young people their age even during the memorable pandemic of 2020.
ECCYBSA – Elizabethton Carter County Youth Baseball and Softball Association thank you for making this summer one filled with smiles both on the field and outside the fences for these young girls and boys along with their families.