About 400 Goodrich-area youngsters are digging out their bats and mitts every Tuesday and Thursday this summer and heading for local diamonds.
The Goodrich school district’s Community Education Department sponsors local youth recreational baseball programs, beginning with practices in May. The leagues officially begin in June and continue for a six-week period through August.
The games take place on three fields near Reid Elementary School, 7501 Seneca St., Goodrich, as well as at Goodrich Middle School, 7480 S. Gale Road, Goodrich.
Goodrich’s program is divided up into five classifications: T-ball (ages 5-7), boys? coach/pitch (ages 8-9), girls? coach/pitch (ages 8-10), boys? pony ball (ages 10-12) and junior girls (ages 11-14).
Jason Wilcox, Goodrich recreational baseball coordinator and a physical education teacher at Goodrich Middle School, said there are about 10 teams in the T-ball division, seven in boys coach/pitch, four in girls coach/pitch, six in pony boys and three in junior girls.
‘We’ve grown every year,? Wilcox said. ‘I don’t know the exact numbers, but each year we’ve grown a little bit.?
Wilcox pointed out he receives plenty of help in making the leagues run smoothly, ranging from the support of local businesses to the help of parents in the community.
‘A lot of people help me run the leagues ? obviously, you can’t do it alone,? he said.
He said ‘quite a few? local businesses sponsor the Goodrich teams, with one business sponsoring five teams.
As far as parental support is concerned, Wilcox said involvement has been strong. ‘There’s a lot of people at every game and the parking lot is always full, which is nice to see,? he said.
One of the parents involved in the leagues is Goodrich resident Kurt Chandler, who is in his fifth year of coaching recreational baseball. Chandler currently coaches the Village Dental Center team in the boys? coach/pitch division.
‘I enjoy coaching the kids,? he said. ‘You get a real satisfaction out of working with them.?