SoutheasternOhioPreps.com

District batting around idea of middle-school softball, baseball
By ANGELA JEWELL
Messenger staff writer
Published: Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:01 AM EST

NELSONVILLE — Nelsonville-York City School Board is considering implementing a softball and baseball program for its seventh and eighth grades.

The idea was proposed by board member Tim Maiden during Tuesday’s board meeting.

According to Nelsonville-York Athletic Director Dave Boston, Nelsonville has never had an organized junior high program for baseball or softball and he feels implementation of a program would go a long way in helping the high school become more competitive in these two sports.

“Any time you can develop a feeder program at the younger levels, it’s going to help the varsity programs,” Boston said.

Boston added that not every local school has a formal junior high softball and baseball program that is funded by its athletic department. However, most offer recreational leagues for that age group.

In addition to costs associated with hiring coaches for a junior high baseball and softball team, Boston indicated there would be uniform fees, umpire fees and possibly field fees, as well. Boston will be compiling some cost figures for the board to consider.

Supt. Mick McClelland stated the board will be looking into the matter further.

“I have the athletic director looking into how many schools in the area actually have an organized program and how many kids would be willing to participate in the program, McClelland said. “If we have enough interest and we can swing it, it will be brought before the board and voted on.”

For now, no formal decisions have been made.

“Would I like to have it? Certainly,” Boston said. “I’d like to see all of our junior-high programs taken care of.”