Three youth baseball groups in Warren merge into one

The new organization
will be called the Warren Athletic Club.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

WARREN — Three city youth baseball leagues have merged to become the Warren Athletic Club to increase the competitive level of players.

This year will be the inaugural season.

For years, boys baseball, girls slow pitch and fast pitch softball and T-ball have been operated by Warren Burbank Baseball, Warren McKinley Baseball and Warren Youth League.

Mayor Michael J. O’Brien said the three leagues were dividing the community and youth. One club is designed in part to continue to bring the community together.

Safety-Service Director William “Doug” Franklin said Thursday that the Warren Athletic Club was formed as a result of meetings with the three league officials late last year and this year.

Tony DiPaolo, who has been involved in local baseball, said members of the three leagues “put their differences aside” to provide a safe baseball environment for an estimated 500 to 700 players this year.

Another adult involved, Nick Graham, said one of the drawbacks of the three leagues is that they played in tournaments together “and beat themselves up.”

The new setup means this mean they would now be playing other teams from other places.

Franklin noted that the one club will set higher standards for coaches and parents because they all will pledge to abide in good sportsmanship.

It was also noted that the one club would be a better feeder to Warren G. Harding High School’s baseball teams, because the players will have know each other.

Graham said the city park system has been underutilized and that these will become first-class facilities.

Also, some tournaments will be held here so city teams would not always travel to other communities for tournament play.

O’Brien noted that other teams, such as from Howland, Canfield, Poland and Boardman, had better look over their shoulders — because Warren will be fielding better teams.

Archie McMillion, who has been involved in the city baseball since 1965, said he is “really happy for the kids” playing for one club.

It will cost those playing on the boys ages 7 to 16 and girls slowpitch and fastpitch $60 per season. Co-ed T-ball players ages 4 to 6 will be charged $40. Family discounts are available.

The locations to sign up will be posted on the city’s next water bill.

yovich@vindy.com