Looking for a quality, kid-focused youth baseball league for your boy or girl, age 9 through 12, this summer? If so, it's not too late to register for the new New City YMCA Cabrini-Green Little League at Cubs Care Park, 1515 N. Halsted Ave. Boys and girls age 9 through 12 are still being recruited for the upcoming summer season - June 5 through Aug. 21 - at beautiful new Cubs Care Park.
The cost to participate? None, thanks in part to the generous support of Cubs Care, a community service program of the McCormick Tribune Foundation and the chosen charity of the Chicago Cubs. In addition, equipment and uniforms will be provided for the season free of charge.
Open registration is being held in conjunction with Spring Training, which is already in full swing at Cubs Care Park every Sunday in May (except Memorial Day weekend.) Spring Training is devoted to the fundamentals of baseball, brushing up skills, and encouraging sportsmanship and team play.
Interested kids and their parents are invited to attend, get a feel for the program, and play ball with returning kids and coaches from last year's inaugural summer and fall leagues. Start times Sunday, May 23, are: 11 a.m. for 11-12 year olds; 1 p.m. for 9-10 year-olds.
After May 23, all participants will be assigned to a team. Teams will begin individual practices before the start of the regular season on June 5. Two leagues will compete this summer, the "Minor League" (9-10 year-olds) and the "Major League" (11-12 year olds). Each league will play a 10-game season. Eligibility will be determined by the child's age as of June 1, 2004. Parents and volunteers are also being recruited for coaching, concessions and fundraising.
All practices and games will be held at Cubs Care Park, or nearby Stanton Park. The season will conclude with a post-season championship tournament. Winners in each league will attend a game at Wrigley Field, go on the field, and meet Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker and some of the players. Selection of a traveling All-Star team to compete against neighboring parks also is planned for the fall.
In addition to registering on-site during Spring Training, registration forms are also available at New City YMCA. For more information, contact Michael Horton, Director of Sports and Recreation, New City YMCA, (312) 440-7282 or Michael_Horton@ymcachgo.org.
New City YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, is known for its solid, affordable, family-based recreation and sports programs. New City YMCA is located at 1515 N. Halsted St., just south of the intersection of North and Clybourn Ave. |
