For decades, former Wichita Eagle reporter Bob Lutz dreamed of a youth baseball league available to all children. In his more than forty years as a sports writer, Lutz saw youth sports become unreachable for the underprivileged. He envisioned a baseball league that built up a community and provided an opportunity for all children to fall in love with the sport.
In 2014, Lutz turned his dream into reality when the opening pitch was thrown out at League 42’s first game. Now in its fifth season, League 42 serves nearly 600 children ages 5-14. True to its central mission of providing affordable youth sports, each family pays only $30 per season for all children enrolled. The League primarily runs on donations, sponsorships, and volunteers.
Though still a young nonprofit, League 42’s impact has been significant. In addition to baseball, the League focuses on players’ education and stresses the importance of a high school diploma. Among the League’s long-term goals is building a center near its home at McAdams Park that is part study rooms and part batting cages. Players would have a space to complete their homework before practicing their swings.
League 42’s leadership tracks the path of players after they age out of the program and hopes to see that the League has a positive influence on its players long term. But League 42’s central goal–helping Wichita’s children fall in love with baseball–is intangible. It can only be seen in the video interviews Bob Lutz captures with players, like this interview last season with League 42 player Austin, who had just taken home the game ball after executing a great play.
https://www.facebook.com/League42Wichita/videos/1456171057775141/
How You Can Help
In order to keep its fee per family low, League 42 relies on monetary donations to keep its operations going each season. The League is also beginning a capital campaign to build a fourth field at McAdams Park, which will allow the League to serve more families.
Another great way to contribute is to coach! This season, League 42 has forty-two teams, each of which needs at least two coaches. The League is in need of new coaches every season. If you have a passion for baseball and an interest in coaching, contact Bob Lutz for more information.
For Monetary Donations:
League 42
P.O. Box 20051
Wichita, KS 67208
To Watch a Game:
McAdams Park
1329 E. 16th St. N
Wichita, KS 67214
For more information:
www.facebook.com/League42Wichita/
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