Bob Reynolds, President of the Hoagland Youth League, spoke at the Heritage Lions meeting last night. He gave his extensive history in baseball leadership positions, including being the assistant baseball coach at Heritage High School for 17 years. He became the President of HYL in 2021, and hopes to continue serving the league for many years to come.
Reynolds said the league continues to grow larger each year, a very positive sign. Some other communities have seen their leagues decrease over time due to the many competing activities for today’s youth. The past year saw 27 teams compete, in all age groups, with both male and female participants. There were nine T-Ball teams in 2022, a record, and a good sign that future participation in the league may increase. A total of 280 kids played ball in the HYL last summer. Everyone who signs up gets a chance to play and the players come from all over the area.
Mr. Reynolds emphasized that the overall goal of the league was to develop good sportsmanship and positive values for our local youth. HYL tries to improve the ball diamonds every year. In recent years the league has installed two fenced-in batting cages with turf, and rebuilt the dugouts. On their wish list is to have lights and scoreboards for all diamonds.
Running the HYL is a year-round volunteer job. The leaders meet monthly to plan the next year. Practices start in April and games begin in May. Reynolds appreciates the community support his league has received in the past.
The Heritage Lions Club in Hoagland sponsors a team each year and provides free ice cream to every player on opening day.
