Businesses support kids' softball league

Rob Brantley and Derek White of Real People for Real Change created Northwest Springfield Free Youth Softball to open the sport to area children who might not otherwise get to play. Initially, the duo targeted 12 northwest Springfield grade schools, but as awareness spread, home-schooled and private-school students also joined the league, which now has more than 100 participating children, Brantley said.

The league is split into two age groups – second through fifth grade and sixth to eighth grade. With parents’ permission, some younger children are allowed to play in the older league, Brantley said, so that children with similar skill levels play together. Games are played at the baseball fields in Grant Beach Park.

The inaugural games are scheduled every hour between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Springfield City Councilman Doug Burlison will throw out the first pitch at 9:59 a.m. In case of rain, the games will be moved to July 19.

The league’s inaugural event, the Blowout Bonanza, was held at Grant Beach Park in September, bringing together community members, politicians and organizations.

Sponsors for the bonanza included the Springfield-Greene County Parks and Recreation department, St. John’s, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 178, Community Free Press, Real People for Real Change, the Grant Beach Neighborhood Association and local radio station KZRQ 106.7 FM.

Brantley and White, however, needed additional help to get the league up and running.

St. John’s Clinic, which has several northwest Springfield clinics on Kearney Street, has stepped up to the plate to support the league’s inaugural season. Marketing Director Neil Frost said St. John’s Clinic provided T-shirts and hats, as well as $2,500 in cash that was used, in part, for equipment.

“I was just struck by the story. There was an opportunity here for less-fortunate kids,” Frost said.

The Springfield-Greene County Parks and Recreation department is providing insurance for the league, and other groups, including the Grant Beach Neighborhood and the community continue to support the league.

While the league’s season already is under way, Brantley said there are still ways for businesses and individuals to get involved. In particular, there’s a need for coaches and coach mentors, as the goal is for each team to have more than one coach.

“It’s important for (players) to get some individual attention,” Brantley said. “We don’t want them to just wander around, kicking dirt.”

One of the coaches is Mert Seaton, managing editor of Community Free Press. “I had coached Little League a number of times,” Seaton said. “My oldest doesn’t play anymore and my youngest is too young. I thought this would be a good opportunity to coach again.”

Seaton said league play has gone well thus far.

“Teams have to share equipment, but all the fields are scheduled to make it work,” he added.

Brantley said additional equipment would allow more practice opportunities, and the league also is looking for funding or donated goods for an end-of-season bonanza. Brantley also would like to add to the number of organization booths at the year-end event.

If the first season goes well, organizers may consider expanding it to include more children, or adding sports such as soccer, Brantley added.

The plan is for community members to operate the league next season, and after two years organizers hope to pass league operations to a nonprofit organization.

“We’ve got the bare essentials taken care of,” Brantley said. “The first goal is to be sustainable – to create something viable and repeat it.”

Want to Help?

Northwest Springfield Free Youth Softball is seeking volunteer coaches and mentors as well as donations of money or new equipment. Those interested in helping can contact league organizer Derek White at (417) 693-4205.[[In-content Ad]]