Haines Little League ends summer season on a high

The Haines Little League played final games of the season Wednesday evening to packed stands at Oslund Park. As KHNS’ Corinne Smith reports, there was high turnout this summer and even higher spirits.

 

It’s a cool summer evening and a large crowd has filled the stands to watch the final games of the Haines Little League season. First up, is the minors: Red Sox vs the Yankees. The kids are ages 7 – 11 in uniforms and matching hats. 

On the mound, 7-year-old Parker Baumgartner is pitching. He’s the youngest on the Yankees team, but focused – pitching to get players out.  

This year, there was record interest, with nearly 60 kids signing up, which surprised everyone, says Red Sox assistant coach Liam Cassidy.

“We’ve never really had a season like this, where we have two leagues. It’s great the way they set it up,” Cassidy said.

They formed four teams, two in the Majors, ages 12-14, and two teams in the Minors, with some who started playing T ball as young as five. They’ve been playing two games a week, 12 games total this summer.

 “It’s just great seeing the development out here, this year. From the first game, to this game, the way the players really started to swing the bats, the way they were communicating out there. ”

Red Sox’s 9-year-old center fielder Ivy Elliot is on deck, waiting to bat. 

“It’s been really fun. Because I’ve been hitting the ball a lot, and I just really like our team…when I hit the ball I was really, really surprised. I’ve only hit the ball once. But this game I hit it another time.”

Her older sister is 11 and also on the team – their dad is the coach – and several cousins too, including this left-fielder. 

“I’m Lani Lynch, I’m 9 years old.”

She says the hardest part is making mistakes, but both teams cheer each other on.

“Well I don’t care if the other team wins, or if we win. Because if the other team wins it makes them feel happy, and when I win it makes me feel happy. So when they win it makes me feel happy because they’re happy.”

Caden Ganey is 10 years old, and plays on the Red Sox with his younger sister, cousins, and an older sister plays in the Majors. He says he’s been working on all his skills – catching, hitting and especially pitching. His mom, Melissa Ganey confirms he’s been practicing. 

“How many hours do you normally spend here?” she prompts.

“On game days, normally 10,” Caden replies matter of factly.

“He asks to get dropped off at lunch time, then he’s here until his sister’s game which ends at like 8:30 p.m. So yes, he would like to live here.”

Behind the scenes, parents and community came together to make Haines Little League happen – they formed a board to fundraise for uniforms and equipment, recruit assistant coaches, and organize the season. They hosted a concession stand at games, a popular cash raffle, and will host a food booth at the fair next week.

The Red Sox won the Minors against the Yankees, 21-6. The crowd cheered as the teams lined up to high five “good game.”

Spirits are high, as players in the Majors get ready to go on. It’s the A’s vs Giants. 

The Giants later clinch a close victory, beating the A’s 7-6.

Liam Cassidy says he was impressed how kids stepped up and improved this season, and also had a lot of fun.

“We had players who weren’t swinging the bat well at all at the beginning of the season, getting around and making some good contact. We had everyone running the bases. I think everyone had a really good time. Kids have come up to us and told us how much they’ve loved playing Little League. And hopefully they just keep playing baseball and having a great time with it.”

Now the official season may be over, but parents are planning for next year – starting fundraising, already recruiting coaches, and in the last weeks of summer, there are still kids pickup games at Oslund Park.