Baseball is strong here. Locally, our declining numbers in youth baseball participation were back in the mid to late 90's. Within 5 miles there are three 12 field youth baseball complexs. One of closest, in the Spring, will have 1400 kids from 5 to 13 playing ball on one of 3 nights a week. Several 10, 11, 12 y/o teams travel up to 75 miles to play doubleheaders in league at this park, as the competition is strong. Same park has near weekly Utrip weekend tournaments from first of March through early July. Super Series is also strong here & Nations is on its way. Travel another 10 miles out & there are two more 12 field complexs. Of 3 of the other nearby 12 field complexs, one smaller complex & a 3 year old huge complex within an hours drive, all host sanctioned tournaments. League wise, locally, there are no drafted Little League(tm) or CR programs...next to no demand. Signup rec ball is available through lower divisions at nearly every park, along with several metro park programs that are 100% rec oriented.
Public school middle school ball, for the most part, starts Spring of 8th grade. 3 of our local 5 middle schools just recieved (via bond issue) 500K, a piece, for upgraded middle school ballfields, upgraded backstops & dugouts. All three public highschools in town (2K students each) currently have baseball construction in progress, ie, new expanded dugouts & stands built along with at least one HS building a larger indoor facility. At least one of the 6A high schools within 10 miles will field two freshman teams for 2010. Locally, freshman making varsity, only happens at the smaller private schools. In the entire metro area 6A's can only think of two Freshman in 2009 that made varsity.