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their teammates.” For many families, baseball provides an opportunity for children to not only play a competitive sport but also learn teambuilding and work ethic skills that can be applied to life. The Sharpsburg Stixx coach says his sons, Caiden, 9, and Alec, 8, learn about hard work and perseverance through baseball. “It’s taught them the importance of teamwork and not giving up,” says Horner. “We’re really heavy on 100 percent effort and we instill sportsmanship.” Sharpsburg Youth Baseball is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization operated by volunteers supporting programs for competitive and non-competitive play for boys and girls between age 3 and 18. Games are played at Andrew Bailey Park in Sharpsburg. The organization offers both recreation and select programs. The select program provides a chance for advanced recreation players to play travel baseball. There are 800 players in the various divisions, according to Clay Smith, president of the league’s executive board. Players in the select program pay a $350 fee that goes mostly toward tournament costs. Each season includes about five tournaments. Jim Brantley, who coaches 13-year-olds, explains what the Sharpsburg Stixx coaches hope to teach their players. “The main thing we try to do is instill a sense of ownership and responsibility in anything they do in life,” he says. “The league is family-focused,” adds Smith. “The environment we strive for is to build a sense of community with baseball as the central component.” The organization’s spring season is already in session. Registration for the fall season typically gets underway in early August. For more information, call 470-468-3261 or visit sharpsburgbaseball.com. NCM
There are plenty of outlets that offer baseball programs for boys and girls throughout Coweta County. Here are a few:
The Sharpsburg Stixx 12-year-old division finished as finalists in the USSSA tournament last fall in Carrollton. Celebrating with smiles and finalist rings are, from left, front: Jaesang Hwang, Ross Loving, Nathan Dingler, Nathan Merritt, Jack Olvey and Gavin Limbaugh. Middle: Garrett Orr, Bradley Smith, Dominic Ottone and Ben Kelley. Back: Coach Jason Olvey, Coach Phillip Dingler, Manager Scott Kelley and Coach Jason Merritt.
Members of Sharpsburg’s 11U Stixx Team celebrate a win at a USSSA tournament in LaGrange last fall, from left, front: Connor Golterman, Joseph Clark, Luke Thompson, Tyler Strickland and Will Schornhorst. Back: Hunter Newton, Noah Byrd, Bryson Takvorian, Chance Izzo, Parker Stevens and AJ Ottone.
Coweta County Recreation Department: Children and youth from the area have the opportunity to become part of a baseball team through the Coweta County Recreation Department and volunteer nonprofit associations who utilize county fields and facilities. The Rec Department offers a T-Ball program for children between ages 3 and 5 at the Hunter Complex in Newnan. Parents can learn more about the program by contacting Lance Dennis, program coordinator, at ldennis@coweta.ga.us or 770- 254-3750. Newnan Youth Athletic Association: The NYAA youth baseball league is a 501(c)(3) organization operated by volunteers maintaining divisions for competitive and noncompetitive play for youth ages 3-14 who live in Coweta and surrounding counties. Games are played at 24 Evans Drive in Newnan. Visit nyaa.us for details. Senoia Area Athletic Association: The Senoia Area Athletic Association is a nonprofit organization and a U.S. Specialty Associated League for baseball that promotes recreational opportunities for children and adults. The association has recreation and select/competitive teams as well as a designated recreation team for Coweta Charter Academy students. Games are played at Leroy Johnson Park in Senoia and other locations in Newnan, Tyrone and Grantville. For more, visit senoiaathletics.com. West Coweta Little League: The West Coweta Little League is part of Georgia’s District 4 Little League. For more information, call 770-254-3759 or visit eteamz.com/westcoweta.