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"KIDS IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN”
America’s pastime is alive
and well in Vincennes, Indiana. Exciting youth baseball with a big
league feel is happening every spring and summer at Vincennes Cub
League.
This year Vincennes Cub
League will begin their 51st season of play with over 600
children ages 4-15 playing approximately 500 baseball games on five
baseball fields located near South 15th Street. The program
boasts one of the finest youth baseball facilities in the Midwest,
including a heated, indoor hitting/practice facility which is utilized
year-round. The facilities are very fan-friendly with covered
bleachers, full-service concessions, and paved parking. Jen’s Safe
Place Park provides a playground area for younger brothers and sisters.
Boys and girls begin their
careers playing T-Ball and then progress to Rookie League where a
pitching machine is used. Players advance to Junior Cub at age 9 for
live pitching and then to Senior Cub at age 11. Players graduate to
Babe Ruth League at age 13 where they play on a full-size baseball
diamond. The baseball teams are sponsored by area businesses and local
organizations. Many local businesses are also sign sponsors to help
support the league.
The program is organized
by a large group of dedicated volunteers including coaches, umpires, and
others who donate countless hours each year to make Vincennes Cub League
a special place for kids and their families. Any child who wants to
play baseball is given the opportunity regardless of physical or
financial hardship. In 2007, a new league named Buddy Ball was added
for children and young adults who are physically and mentally
challenged. There were twenty-six participants assisted by volunteers
while playing baseball, many for the very first time.
In their first 50 years,
Vincennes Cub League has recorded many firsts in youth baseball history
for our community. The program became an affiliate of Babe Ruth League,
Inc. in 1982. In 2001 Vincennes Cub League was very proud to be the
first community to host two World Series the same year; the inaugural
10-year-old Cal Ripken World Series and the 12-year-old Cal Ripken World
Series.
Vincennes Cub League was
also the first to host two successful Ohio Valley Regionals
simultaneously in both the Babe Ruth Division (13 and 14-year-old
tournaments in 1999) and the former Bambino Division (10 and 12-year-old
tournaments in 1995). In addition, the organization hosted the Bambino
World Series on Joe Bilskie, Sr. Field in 1998 and 10-year-old Cal
Ripken World Series in 2004 and 2007. Vincennes Cub League has also
hosted numerous local, district, state, and regional level tournaments.
Over the years, these
events have generated millions of dollars in local business and tourism
revenue and introduced visitors from around the world to historic
Vincennes. The financial success of these tournaments has allowed the
organization to reinvest in its facilities which benefits all the
children who play baseball at Vincennes Cub League.
Graduates of Vincennes Cub
League have established a foundation of discipline, teamwork,
friendships, and skills to use throughout their lifetime. While many
players have played high school and college sports, there are currently
three graduates playing either Major League or Minor League Baseball.
Clint Barmes and Jeff Cunningham are involved with the Colorado Rockies,
and Nevin Ashley is playing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization.
Readers of this
publication are encouraged to visit the baseball facility this spring
and summer to enjoy America’s pastime…Vincennes Cub League style.
Rest assured you will see families and children having a great time at
the ballpark. Let’s play ball!
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