Youth wanting to participate in any of Moberly’s summer recreational tee-ball, softball or baseball leagues offered at the Howard Hils Athletic Complex this 2021 season have until April 2 to register and make proper payment.
Athletes will participate in designated age divisions based upon one’s age as of May 21, 2021. Some leagues are gender specific.
The Moberly Parks and Recreation Department (MPRD), Moberly Optimist Club and Moberly Midget League all operate and organize their own youth leagues with games played at the athletic complex.
For additional information persons can visit the MPRD office weekdays from 8 a.m. until noon and from 1-5 p.m., and persons may also access information online at each of the three entities’ website or Facebook page. Volunteer coaches that pass a mandatory background check are needed for a number of teams in each league.
Young athletes interested in participating in any of the summer ball leagues offered through the MPRD or Optimist programs have the opportunity to do so online by visiting the City of Moberly website (moberlymo.gov), select the Departments link and from the drop-down menu access the Parks and Recreation Department to learn how to register online and pay the participation fee.
The Moberly summer youth leagues also attract ball teams from communities within about a 30-mile radius that participate.
Non-Moberly based teams are permitted to select and organize players for their own team, while all recreational teams within Moberly are assigned by organizers to play on a specific team.
Practice Time
In the meantime, the MPRD announced that weather permitting, come Saturday, March 27 the following ball fields are scheduled to be open for teams to practice: Groeber Field, Patrick Field, Fox Park Field, Meinert Field, and Green Fields Nos. 1,2 and 6 at the Howard Hils Athletic Complex. Its use is on a first-come, first serve basis fo the first three weeks.
However, starting April 15 and moving forward, reservations must be made at the MPRD office for ball practices to be held on any of its fields.
MPRD Softball
There are four girls softball leagues through the MPRD offered, and its games are scheduled to begin June 1. There is recreational softball leagues for divisions of age 8U Coach Pitch (ages 7-8), 10U Live Pitch (ages 9-10) and 12U Live Pitch (ages 11-12). Competitive leagues are offered for age 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U, and team rosters are put together by respective coaches. However, if few teams register some age divisions may be combined into one league.
Participation fee for all MPRD recreational leagues is $45, and for competitive divisions the team fee is $400. The MPRD hires its own umpires and scorekeepers for games played.
Optimist Club
Moberly Optimist Club youth leagues are noncompetitive for both boys and girls, and they are more instructional in nature. Coaches are allowed to be on the field to help athletes learn fundamentals of play while the game is in play. Club members volunteer their time to assist every game that is played during the summer.
Cost is $45 for those that meet the April 2 registration deadline, however, the Optimists allow late registration through April 9 having a late fee of $55.
Midget League
Moberly Midget League offers baseball and has its own board of directors, set of rules and hires its own umpires. Also, newcomers to any of its age divisions participate in a draft process involving coaches.
There is an 8U Coach Pitch division with a $70 participation fee. There is an $80 fee for the age divisions of 10U, 12U and 14U.
The Moberly Midget League has its own website for registration and information at moberlymidgetleague.org.
