LEEDS TRIBUNE THE ONLY SOURCE FOR LEEDS NEWS www.LeedsTribune.com
April 11, 2019 | Volume 4, Issue 12
50 ¢
Let the Games Begin: Youth baseball starts in Leeds
See more photos from last weekend’s Opening Day on the Sports Page 8
BY KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Leeds Tribune Staff Baseball has started in Leeds, and the fields behind Memorial Park were packed with players and parents last Saturday. “We owe a lot of this incredible turnout to our amazing parents,” said Keith Smith, vice president of the Leeds Youth Athletic Association. “We have a great community that supports athletics and these young ones.” The Leeds Youth Athletics Association receives support from the Leeds City Council and from fundraising efforts by parents. “We have wonderful parents who really go all out to support us. And the 10 members of our board are terrific,” Smith said. “Our state Rep. Dickie Drake helps us as well. It takes a lot to get this going, but Leeds is a fantastic place for athletics.” Smith has been running the show at the Leeds Youth Athletic Association for six years, and he said he loves what sports do in the lives of the young. “These kids start not knowing how to catch or throw, then they grow up in the sport and learn how to be good citizens and successful young men and women, on the field and throughout life,” Smith said. “Sports set the foundation to be good adults.”
Opening Day for Leeds youth sports was Saturday at the ball fields behind Memorial Park.
American Legion Post 400 helps Leeds family that lost everything in March house fire BY KARIM SHAMSI-BASHA Leeds Tribune Staff When bad things happen, good folks step in to help. April Bennett’s family home burned to the ground several weeks ago. That’s when American Post 400 stepped up to help. Bennett remembers getting that terrible call in March. “We were out of town, and I got a call at two in the morning that our house was on fire,” Bennett said. “We drove back and found the entire place down to the ground. There was not one wall standing.” “Everything was gone,” she said. “We have nothing left. It was all gone.” Bennett’s husband, Sam Ingram, works for Tyler Sales. Both have lived in the house with their two children for several years. They did not have insurance, and they were close to paying it off. American Legion Post Commander Johnny Crowley said the post is just doing “what folks do for folks.” “We are collecting money and clothes and anything people can help with,” Crowley said. “When things get bad, it brings out the best in people.” “We have collected a little bit, but we need more,” Crowley said. “The folks of Leeds are wonderful. It’s your typical small town. People look out for each other.” Crowley has been a member of the post for decades and loves the fact that they help any time a need arises. “This is what we’re here for,” he said. “Leeds is a small place. Everyone knows everyone. We have to help.”
Crowley was in the Marines and went to Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat. He now runs American Legion Post 400 and loves helping peo-
ple like Bennett and her family. “This is why we’re here,” Crowley said. “I’ve seen it time after time in my years with the
Post. Whenever anyone in the community needs help, we’re there.” American Legion Post 400 is collecting money, clothing,
furniture and any other items anyone can contribute to help April and her family. “We need everyone to step up and help,” Crowley said.
“Leeds is a small place. We have to help each other.” To help April Bennett, Sam Ingram and their family, contact American Legion Post 400 in Leeds.
April Bennett welcomed the help of Johnny Crowley of American Legion Post 400 after her family's house burned down in March.
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