The roar of the crowd and the crack of the bat are heard from fields all over Woodbury this spring as players from age 3 to adulthood play baseball and softball. Practices, games, camps and tournaments abound at all levels.
This week’s roster includes opportunities for players from age 2 through elementary school, the years when nationwide statistics show the highest rates of player participation.
Adapted League
The East Metro Miracle League (EMML) opened its 14th season May 27 inside the M Health Fairview Sports Center. Opening day festivities welcomed 170 athletes with physical and intellectual disabilities.
During the season, EMML participants play lively two-inning games every week in two divisions: ages 3-13 and 14 and older. Ball buddies are available to push wheelchairs and assist as needed. The Woodbury Parks and Recreation website captures the spirit of the league with these words: “Everyone hits, everyone gets on base and everyone crosses home plate! EVERYONE has fun!”
The Miracle League games are played on a specially adapted field at the Woodbury Rotary Miracle Field at the Jeff Hanson Memorial Ballpark on the M Health Fairview Sports Center’s Black Field. Support from the Woodbury Rotary Club has been central to the league and will continue with a June 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony for a shade structure that will add to the comfort and safety of participants.
Rookies
The youngest kids in Woodbury play tee-ball in one of the oldest leagues in town. There are coaches and parents of players who got their start in the same bright-colored jerseys of the in-house Woodbury Athletic Association baseball program and now cheer on the next generation. Kids in this program live in the attendance areas of Woodbury High School, East Ridge High School and Carver Elementary School.
Nicole Johnson, WAA in-house baseball director, told Woodbury News Net that close to 200 kids from prekindergarten through third grade participate in games where they hit off tees or swing at balls pitched by their coaches. Emphasis is on fun, sportsmanship and running in the right direction around the bases. No scores are kept and nobody loses.
Similar approaches are found in the Pee Wee Sports program through Woodbury Parks and Recreation, the DASH Sports T-Ball Tykes Camp through SoWashCo Community Education and the Friday evening St. Croix Valley Athletic Association T-ball games.
Softball
Woodbury girls can begin playing softball in kindergarten by hitting off tees, moving to hybrid models with coach pitching and then to pitching machines by third grade. All three athletic associations have girls pitching by fourth grade. Emphasis at this level is on skill development and team building in a recreational setting.
Beginning at ages 8 to 10, the option of more competitive traveling teams is available through WAA, EAA and Stillwater Fastpitch. Tryouts are held in the fall for the following season, with interim options for fall ball and winter workouts.
Baseball
In-house baseball continues through WAA with pitching machines for third graders and player pitching thereafter.
Beginning at ages 8 to 10, the option of more competitive traveling teams is available through WAA, EAA and the Stillwater Area Baseball Association (SABA). Tryouts are held in the fall for the following season, with interim options for fall ball and winter workouts. WAA tryouts are open to boys who live in Woodbury, while EAA requires residence in the East Ridge High School attendance area. SABA includes boys who live in Stillwater or attend District 834 schools.
After a seventh-inning stretch, information about the grand old game in Woodbury will continue here next week with a roster of high school and adult teams.
