Beech Tree News Network

 The Butler County Youth Baseball Association (BCYBA) just ended their third season under the Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Organization.  This year was very successful and BCYBA is appreciative of all the support of many local businesses, organizations and volunteer hours from families and volunteers.

 The regular spring season included approximately 140 children (ages 4-12 years-old) representing 13 teams!  Of these 13, there were three Jr. Rookie teams (primarily 4-6 year olds), five Rookie teams (primarily 6-8 year olds), two Minor league teams (primarily 9-10 year olds), and three two major league teams (primarily 10-12 year olds).

 BCYBA is a non-profit organization and the work through the league to coach the teams, prepare the fields, and ensure the maintenance and safety of the fields is done 100% by volunteers.  BCYBA relies heavily on the dedication of our families and support from the community.  BCYBA reached out to seek community sponsors again this year and once again received tremendous support from businesses, not only from Butler County, but also from neighboring counties. 

 Regular season play ended on June 5 with a celebratory Closing Ceremony.  The league introduced all the teams, coaches, sponsors, played some games and ended the night with an awesome firework show.  BCYBA celebrated the hard work and dedication of the volunteer coaches, the children and the families in all their practices and games.  BCYBA strives to teach these young children not only rules of the game but sportsmanship and leadership. 

 With the conclusion of regular season play the league will now form All Star teams who will participate in local tournaments, the district tournament to be held at the end of June in Muhlenberg county and the state tournament in July.  These players and coaches are selected through an intricate process which includes voting from all coaches in those divisions. 

The players would not have a program without the volunteer efforts of all of our BCYBA board members and sponsors.  The 2018 BCYBA Board includes the following 16 members:

 President Amy Hood

Vice President Andrew Forbes

Secretary Kelly Bratcher

Treasurer Rachel Phelps

Player Agent/Safety Officer Bryan Phelps

Player Agent/Safety Officer Bradley Embry

All photos by Laurie Keen Photography