A Half-Century at Home Plate

From two teams in 1976 to a thriving program serving hundreds of players today, Leland Youth Baseball celebrates 50 years of community connection.

On the fields at Leland Community Park, baseball is more than a game. It’s a tradition passed from one generation to the next. Children who once played under the lights now return with their own sons and daughters, coaching from the dugout and cheering from the stands. As Leland Youth Baseball celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, it is also celebrating the families and community that built it.

The league began in 1976 with only a couple of teams and a small group of volunteers who wanted local children to have a place to play baseball close to home. Donald Ray White served as the league’s first president. Early teams sometimes traveled to nearby communities like Riegelwood for games before the league grew into a full local program.

The league still plays at Leland Community Park, the same park where it started. Darren Grice, the major league president of the organization and longtime coach, remembers “playing on that same field when I was eight years old, which was 1978. I’ve just been there all my life.”

What began with just two teams has grown into a program serving about 265 players across 22 teams this season. Those teams include T-ball, coach pitch, minors and majors divisions, giving children opportunities to play at different age levels as they grow through the league.

Reaching the 50-year milestone is possible through strong support from families across the Leland community. Many players return later as parents and coaches, and several families have had multiple generations involved in the league.

“It’s exciting,” says Christy Grice, Leland Youth Baseball treasurer. “So many leagues fold and never make 50 years.”

The league operates as a nonprofit organization and depends heavily on volunteers. Nearly everyone involved with running the program serves in a volunteer role, including coaches, board members and officers. With 22 teams and multiple coaches per team, organizers estimate that around 80 volunteers make each season possible. Only umpires and concession workers receive pay.

“The community support for our league is through the roof,” Christy Grice says. “The kids who keep coming back, the coaches who used to play in the league bringing their kids back, it’s just a great feeling. It’s great to be part of that.”

Players range in age from 4 to 12, and both boys and girls are welcome to participate.

Many begin in T-ball and continue playing through middle school and high school programs. Some former players have gone on to play at the college level, including two current players at UNC Wilmington.

Teasha Clark, the league secretary, says “the experience helps children learn teamwork and build relationships that often continue long after their playing years.”

Leland Youth Baseball also works to give back to the community. Players help with projects such as food drives and sponsor support activities during the season. A long-running Leland Youth Baseball Queen Contest scholarship fundraiser has helped support league operations for about 30 years. Funds raised through the program help cover league expenses and later become scholarship support for queen participants after graduation.

“The community helps us, and so we want to help the community,” Clark says. “The kids need to learn that too, to give back to those who are less fortunate.”

Local businesses play an important role as well. Sponsors such as Harris Teeter, PT’s Grille, Best Western and many other local businesses and individuals have provided consistent support for equipment, uniforms and travel expenses for tournament play.

The league has also built a strong competitive record over the years. In 2023 Leland Youth Baseball won the Dixie Youth World Series Majors championship in Louisiana. Several other teams from the program have placed at the World Series level during the league’s history.

“Obviously we’re proud of winning the World Series in 2023,” Darren Grice says. “That was a big accomplishment.”

The anniversary season brings extra excitement as Leland hosted two state tournaments in 2026. The AA state tournament began June 26, followed by the Majors state tournament on July 10, drawing teams from across North Carolina.

League leaders say one of the things they are most proud of is the continued growth of the program after the disruption of the 2020 season. Participation numbers have increased again in recent years, and many current North Brunswick High School players began in Leland Youth Baseball.

“It’s a beautiful accomplishment to watch them grow,” Clark says. “To see them start so small and move into middle school, high school, even college. Hopefully, their fundamentals came from here.”

Organizers say their goal is to continue building opportunities for young players while keeping the strong community support that has helped sustain the program since the beginning.

“It’s truly family,” Clark says.

PLAY BALL!
Leland Youth Baseball
For information about registration, sponsorship or volunteering, go to lelandbaseball.com.