- By Dan Veaner
- Sports
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Any time you pass the Lansing ballfields during the summer you see kids playing baseball and softball, all wearing Lansing Softball Program (LSP) or Lansing Softball Program (LSP) shirts and hats in their team colors. The Lansing Recreation Department has been gearing up for this year's programs, getting equipment ready and trying to get parents to enroll their kids before the deadline, which is today (Friday, March 19)."Unfortunately over the last ten years we've fallen into a last minute scenario," said Recreation Director Steve Colt. "I end up personally making phone calls at the beginning of next week."
Colt said he would make about 100 calls to parents of eligible kids who participated in the programs last year. He said the final number must be set now to allow time to determine equipment needs, what needs to be ordered, how many volunteer coaches must be recruited, and the number of teams.
LBP is divided into four leagues. The T-Ball league introduces Kindergarten-age children to baseball. Batters hit the ball off of a tee, rather than a pitcher throwing the ball. A 'safety baseball' is used instead of the harder traditional ball. The International League is for first and second graders. The National League is for grades four and five. Fifth and sixth graders who did not turn 13 by August 1 of 2009 play in the American League. Additionally there is a Srring Baseball program for kids 12 years old or younger. That program sports Prep, Babe Ruth, and Legion teams.
LSP Has similar leagues including T-Ball for Kindergarteners, Juniors for first and second graders, Minors for grades three and four, and Majors for fifth and sixth graders. The Spring Softball program offors opportunities for kids from K-6.
The Recreation Department is repeating its successful 'Aquafina® Pitch, Hit, and Run' competition this year as well. The competition will be held May 8th with events for boys starting at 11am, and 1pm for girls. The event is geared to teach basic baseball skills to kids. Kids exercise different skills at each station.
This year Dicks Sporting Goods donated 40 sets of equipment including score books, team bags, coach's clipboards, more than 270 softballs, and over 900 baseballs. Colt says the equipment is staged in a storage room ready to be packed for each team once the numbers are known. Team selection will take place at the end of this month.
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