• How did youth baseball programs get started?
• 5 factors to consider for the optimal youth baseball program.
• Youth club baseball programs for your child.

Here, at Electro-Mech, we provide you with electronic baseball scoreboards and information on all things sports- baseball included. Check out our other articles, we cover everything from history of the game to the latest scandals. For now, we’ll focus on some awesome baseball programs for children.

The Origins of Youth Club Baseball

To consider the best youth baseball program we should take a look back at the origins of organized baseball and the “character traits” it sought to instill in children. Carl Stotz of Williamsport, PA started an official youth baseball program in 1938 and named it “Little League.” He organized area youth baseball players into three teams in 1939 and from those humble beginnings it has now grown to over 200,000 teams in 80 countries. Stotz’s goal was to teach baseball fundamentals as well as teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play…and those are worthy goals to teach today’s youth baseball players.

5 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Youth Baseball Program

• Affordability is always a big consideration. There are the usual costs associated with youth club baseball including registration fees, uniforms, and equipment. There are also hidden expenses you need to consider such as gas, snacks, and travel if you are registering your child in youth travel baseball. In addition, parents are sometimes required to perform fundraising duties so be sure to get all the facts.
• The caliber of play is an important consideration. Are you looking for just the recreational component of baseball or is competition important to you and your child? It won’t be much fun for your child if you enroll them in an ultra competitive youth baseball program only to have them sit on the bench. At the same time, you want your kid to improve their baseball skills over the course of the season.
• How do game times and practices fit into your schedule? Let’s face it we all seem to be “rushed” these days so be sure your child’s baseball schedule fits with your schedule. An alternative is to be sure that other parents can pick up the slack when you’re unavailable. If you register your kid in youth travel baseball then you’re transportation issues increase.
• The quality of coaching is important. Are the coaches formally trained or are they fathers from the neighborhood? First of all, you want your child to have fun and develop character and friendships. You also want them to continue to learn the game and the skills involved. Do your best to balance these key ingredients.
• Lastly, you’ll want to consider the values that Little League Baseball was founded on…teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. A quality youth baseball program will teach your child the fundamentals of the game while molding them into responsible adults. Be sure the leadership and coaches of the leagues you’re considering to have this as their primary goal.

Youth Club Baseball Programs

T-Ball USA

Supports T-ball programs nationwide and works with various organizations to deliver quality recreational programs to the beginner baseball player.

Dizzy Dean Baseball

Based mainly in the southern states as well as New York, Texas, and Colorado Dizzy Dean Baseball offers recreational opportunities for children aged 5 – 18 years old. As a condition for using his name, Dizzy Dean declared that no player could be turned away from playing baseball.