Naperville Park District is resuming its popular youth baseball and softball programs this spring, with T-Ball, Coach-Pitch and Machine-Pitch baseball and softball leagues beginning in mid-May for Pre-K through second grade and Girls’ Sliderz Softball leagues for grades 3-8 starting in late April.
Baseball and softball are among the youth sports considered to be low risk activities relative to COVID-19, according to state guidelines. The Park District was able to offer a modified team experience in summer 2020 and competitive play in the fall of 2020, giving kids an opportunity to be physically active, learn new skills and be with others in an outdoor setting.
New this spring, those registering may register either as an individual or as a team. When registering their children, parents are asked to consider serving as a volunteer coach or assistant coach.
“We provide training and support for volunteer coaches, who contribute so much to the team experience, which is focused on fun, learning and good sportsmanship,” said Fred Gusel, program manager.
For the 2021 spring season, Coach-Pitch for second grade levels will include both Coach-Pitch and Machine-Pitch methods to enhance player development. The first grade program will remain exclusively Coach-Pitch.
Naperville Park District will continue to follow participation guidelines for recreational sports relative to the coronavirus situation and participants are asked to review updates to these guidelines at www.napervilleparks.org/coronavirus prior to attending practices and games.
Detailed baseball and softball program information will be available online at www.napervilleparks.org/programguides beginning March 3. Online registration for baseball and softball programs begins at noon on March 16 for residents and at noon on March 18 for nonresidents.
