New league beefs up attendance at Sportsplex

The Blytheville Baseball Softball Boosters' new high school league has become a big hit in its first year.

BBSB has teams participating from Blytheville, Gosnell, Armorel, Cooter, Rivercrest, Manila and Kennett schools with several more schools requesting to play in the league next year. The junior varsity league is made up of boys 13-15 years of age with 15 year olds not being allowed to pitch. Additionally, the bases are 80 feet in length as opposed to the normal 90 feet bases in the high school league and the pitching mound is located at 54 feet instead of 60 feet. This allows for a transition for the younger boys into high school baseball.

The high school league is made up of high school freshman-juniors during their 2013 school year. This allows the upcoming class to get a jump start on next year. BBSB has 159 boys participating in the program this year which really helps numbers at the Sportsplex, according to BBSB officials.

"We are estimating 783 youth participating in youth sports at the Complex this year, which makes this the biggest season yet," BBSB's Randy Scott said. "The parking lots have been over capacity all year long.

"We are starting to wind down the 2013 season with most softball divisions and one of the baseball divisions playing their year end league tournament this week. Most of the other divisions, including the new high school league, will finish their year end tournaments next week."

American Legion Baseball and weekend tournaments are now starting to gear up in full swing. This weekend there will be 31 teams in town for the Sports Hall Softball Classic. The next weekend (June 14-16) there will be approximately 30 teams in town for the rain rescheduled Sports Hall Thunder Bayou Blowout.

"Our 11th year at the Youth Sportsplex is shaping up to be one of our most successful," Scott said.

cnsports@blythevillecourier.com