Expanding the Options Brownsburg Youth Sports Looks to Find a Permanent Space
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That unity resulted in Grisez and others leading the charge in the creation of a youth sports complex.
The conversation began with a deal between Brownsburg Youth Sports and Brownsburg Community School Corporation.
“The Brownsburg girls softball Little League has property across from the high school and Brownsburg Schools had property out by St. Malachy,” Grisez said. “The idea was to do a land swap, and it would give us an opportunity to build baseball and softball diamonds out there.”
Using local companies, they quickly got to work doing land studies and creating an official plan. Phase one includes a clover of four baseball and softball diamonds with a concession stand. Phase two includes another clover of four baseball and softball diamonds, with a storage building.
Phase three will be their Championship diamonds, with one dedicated field for the Challenger program.
“The Challenger program through Little League is for our special-needs community, and it’s a part of our program we’re very proud of,” Grisez said.
Established in 1989, the separate division of Little League invites ages 5 to 22, if still in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball, and includes “buddies” for each participant on the field.
The Championship diamonds would be closer to the parking area, with additional features for functionality, allowing wheelchairs and walkers to easily navigate.
The plan is to break ground as soon as possible.
“We’ll need a year or so for the grass to
mature so we need to get started,” Grisez said. “Our goal is to be playing on phase one in July of 2026. That’s when the ownership will transfer from the Girls Softball program to the Brownsburg Community School Corporation.”
The goal is for the project to not just be about baseball and softball. Other amenities on the proposed complex include a walking trail, a playground/park space and more.
“We’re thinking we can host community events,” said Grisez. “The walking trail will connect to the walking path at Ronald Reagan, so there’s tremendous opportunity there. We’re thinking about creating spaces for walking the dog or going for a run. We’ve allocated space for the kids to play, and we want to host community events like movies in the park and others.”
Not only will the sports complex provide
an opportunity for all youth sports in the future, but it’s also an economic generator for Brownsburg, and all five members of the Town Council have signed a letter of support.
“When folks travel in, they’re going to need a place to sleep, eat, gas up the car, etcetera,” said Grisez. “It makes a ton of sense in terms of the community. It’ll be a return on investment from a financial standpoint with a tremendous amount of value when we host tournaments. It’s an opportunity to highlight our sports programs as well as a central place to market sponsorships and promotions.”
The overall vision allows business sponsors and individual supporters to get involved and support all Brownsburg youth sports, rather than one team or another. A banner at the sports complex will be displayed in front of the largest sports foot-traffic area in the town, and the funds will support everyone under the nonprofit.
The excitement is building as a longtime dream is slowly coming to fruition. Ultimately, the Brownsburg Youth Sports nonprofit hopes to showcase youth talent and give athletes the quality facilities they deserve.
THE NEW FRONTIER
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DRIVE GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL GROWTH
Writer / Melissa Gibson
Children learn best when they are well-nourished. Help our students succeed as part of our Food Services team. We are now hiring for our brand new middle school.
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KNOWING THE SIGNS
MAY IS STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
Writer / Susanne Crotty, Stroke and Quality Coordinator at IU Health North
Over the last few years, there has been a noticeable increase in strokes happening in younger generations, specifically Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z. Approximately 800,000 people suffer a stroke each year, with around 10-15% of these incidents occurring in people aged 18 to 45.
One contributing factor is the growing rates of obesity and other related issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol within these age groups. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle may contribute to this trend.
Moreover, higher stress levels across generations can also play a significant role. Collectively, these elements can elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.
MITIGATION
While genetics can play a factor, lifestyle choices play a big role in stroke prevention.
By adopting healthier habits, you can lower your risk of experiencing a stroke. Your diet plays a crucial role, and your healthcare provider might suggest consulting with a dietitian to assist you in making dietary adjustments. These changes can enhance your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels:
• Decrease your fat intake
• Cut back on salt (sodium), especially if you have high blood pressure
• Increase your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables while reducing processed foods
• Opt for more lean proteins and limit red meat
It’s also essential to restrict alcohol consumption and quit smoking if you currently smoke. Regular exercise and stress reduction techniques can further minimize your stroke risk.
THE WARNING SIGNS
With younger people at a higher risk for strokes, it’s crucial to recognize the signs to respond quickly. When thinking about the symptoms of a stroke, remember the word “sudden.” A person may suddenly experience weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg on one side of their body. They might have trouble speaking or finding words, or experience sudden difficulty seeing in one or both eyes.
They may also notice drooping on one side of their face or appear suddenly confused. Additionally, a person may experience sudden difficulty walking or a loss of balance or coordination. These symptoms can be identified quickly because they typically occur suddenly. It’s important to stay alert to these symptoms as they could indicate a stroke.
You can also use the FAST acronym (Face, Arms, Speech, Time). FAST is a simple way to remember the signs of a stroke and the appropriate steps to take if you encounter
someone displaying these symptoms:
F for Face: Is one side of the face drooping or numb? Ask the person to smile to check if their facial appearance is symmetrical.
A for Arm: Is one arm weak or numb? Request that the person raises both arms and observe if one drifts downward. They may also feel weakness or numbness in one leg.
S for Speech: Is their speech slurred? If it is, or if they appear confused or struggle to understand you, this could indicate a stroke.
T for Time: If any of these symptoms are present, it’s time to call 911 for assistance. A stroke is a medical emergency, and every moment is critical.
In recent years, the BEFAST acronym has also emerged, which includes two more signs to watch for when assessing a potential stroke:
B for Balance: If the person feels dizzy or is losing their balance, this could signal a stroke.
E for Eyes: Is the person experiencing vision loss or double vision? If so, this might also indicate a stroke.
Beyond these acronyms, it’s important to remember not all strokes are the same. There are two primary types of strokes: ischemic, which results from a blockage in a blood vessel supplying the brain, and hemorrhagic, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Ischemic strokes are the most common, accounting for about 80-90% of all strokes. While all strokes can potentially harm the brain, every stroke is unique based on its location within the brain.
NEW ADVANCES
In recent years, healthcare has experienced significant advancements in stroke treatment, particularly for ischemic strokes, which are the most common type. Stroke treatment involves two key phases: the acute (short-term) phase and the long-term phase. During the acute phase, the objective is to minimize brain damage. The faster this can be done, the better the chances for recovery.
Treatment options in this phase include:
Administering clot-busting medications within the first 0-4.5 hours after symptoms arise, which can dissolve the clot. Performing surgical procedures within 24
hours to remove the blood clot from the brain, thus restoring blood supply. Conducting tests to assess any potential brain damage, using brain imaging to identify areas that may be treatable with medication or surgery. Time is critical in the acute phase of stroke treatment.
In the long-term treatment phase, the focus shifts to preventing future strokes and aiding recovery from the initial stroke. Key components of this phase include:
Rehabilitation or therapy, which begins in the hospital and typically continues in either inpatient or outpatient facilities, eventually transitioning to home. This phase concentrates on regaining lost skills. Administering medications to prevent subsequent strokes, such as those aimed at controlling blood pressure and preventing bleeding.
Keep in mind that time is crucial: every moment lost can mean brain loss.
For more information on stroke prevention, visit iuhealth.org/findmedical-services/stroke.
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SCOUTING FOR SUCCESS
THE JOURNEY FROM PLAYER TO SCOUT IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Writer / Melissa Gibson Photographer / Amy Payne
Mike Medici said he’s been “in the game” his entire life.
Though the Avon resident played baseball from a young age and throughout high school, when the opportunity to play professionally didn’t pan out, he turned to coaching and eventually scouting for Major League Baseball (MLB).
Medici’s goal is to bring the best of the best to the Texas Rangers, and in the early days he would spend more than 100 nights on the road, often working seven days per week. He’s traveled to high schools and colleges across the country, following young athletes throughout their careers, forming friendships
youth to retirement. You’re friends for life.
“A lot of people think scouting is watch and report,” Medici said. “You might miss talent, but my goal is to never miss on the person. Every time I see a player I’ve known since he was an amateur, I guarantee his character is off the charts.”
Despite all the experiences his career has afforded him, Medici isn’t going to scout forever.
Three years ago he launched his own baseball training program, Medici Training Center,
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with two locations in Brownsburg and Avon. With 250 athletes aged 8 to 17, his goal is to help players develop not only in the sport, but in character as well.
“Some of these athletes want to get on the varsity team in high school, others are going to play in college,” he said. “Ninetythree percent of them will go to college and they won’t play. They’ll go as a student and that’s perfectly fine. In the meantime, I’m looking at what I can do so they are a better human being when they leave here. Have they learned better work ethic? Have they learned how to overcome adversity? It’s the game of life in a way.”
The lines between coaching and recruiting are often blurred, because ultimately both involve looking for the best in the athlete.
Medici said he can’t believe he’s been scouting for 15 years already. He’s been to many towns across the country and enjoyed the World Series experience. Yet, he sees his
future in the athletes that come to Medici Training Center.
“I’ve had an amazing scouting career but I know my future will be the training facility,” he said. “I want to build up youth baseball on the west side. My end goal and vision are to see what I can do to help kids on this side of town play to the next level.”
Visit medicibaseball.com for more information.
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