A League of My Own, the Cedar Valley Baseball League

An idea I had this same time last year comes to an exciting conclusion tonight (June 10, 2015). My Cedar Valley Baseball League crowns its inaugural champion at Pfeiffer Springs Park in Cedar Falls.

THREE GAMES ON TAP TONIGHT:
The Cedar Valley Baseball League Championship Game will feature #1 Heat 12u against #2 Jr. Wahawks 12u. The CVBL Opening Ceremony starts at 5:35 PM, and the game's first pitch set for 5:45 PM. Thanks to 97.7 KCRR's Cory Ford and K-98.5, this game will feature player introductions, walk-up music, prizes, and a championship presentation after the game.

Following the CVBL Championship Game, the league will play its CVBL Third Place and CVBL Fifth Place games. Vying for third place, #3 Wapsie Valley 12u plays #4 Full Count 11u. In the fifth place game, #5 Full Count Stars 12u take on #6 Heat 11u White. Both games are slated to begin approximately at 7:35 PM.

YOUR ARE INVITED:
Even if you do not know any of the players, or just want to check out what the CVBL has to offer, I would like to invite everyone to come cheer on these young men. Bleacher seating is limited. There is plenty of room on the hillside to sit, so bring you lawn chair.

Pfeiffer Springs Park is located at 900 Grand Blvd is Cedar Falls (Google Maps Link).

MY LOVE FOR THE GAME:
For years I helped coach my son's travel baseball team. I absolutely loved the father/son bonding time. It's a memory we both will enjoy for ever. Along the way, I also found that I loved trying to sharing my love for 'America's Past Time'. So much so that when my son graduated to his high school program, I kept volunteering my time to coach for area USSSA travel teams in the Cedar Valley.

Travel baseball is a little different than the average city baseball programs. I've always looked at the city run programs as a great way for kids to get together, play with and against their friends, and learn a little about baseball along the way. The USSSA travel programs are designed more as an advanced developmental program. It's still about the kids and having fun, but it is more about getting these eager ball players prepared for the next level.

UNDER SERVED:
There is a need for both types of programs. It all depends on what the young player wants to get out of his baseball experience. The one thing I noticed was that travel baseball programs were being under served in the Cedar Valley. That's why I created the Cedar Valley Baseball League.

The inaugural year was a modest one. We saw just six teams of 11 & 12 year old players enter the CVBL, but we saw players and teams from towns like Cedar Falls, Hudson, Fairbank, Readlyn, Waterloo, and Waverly.

I've already started thinking about how the CVBL can grow in the years to come. You can learn more about the CVBL at www.CedarValleyBaseball.com.