Kendal Spencer (5), Nate Tinder (9), Bryan Burtoft, and Head Coach Rich Billings (13) with two players from the Leesburg Rec Youth League.
A few more players than normal took the field for practice before Saturday’s home baseball doubleheader against South Florida State College. Last Saturday at the Lakehawk Athletics Complex in Leesburg, the team was joined by over 150 baseball and softball players from the Leesburg Youth Rec Leagues, their coaches, and their families for pre-game practice and fun.
“It was an opportunity for us to honor a special group of kids. It excites them about their upcoming season while filling our facility with families for an afternoon of baseball,” says Rich Billings, LSSC’s head baseball coach.
LSSC Athletics hosts Little League Days at every baseball home game on Saturdays. The South Lake Little League and Umatilla Babe Ruth League have both participated this season.
LSSC Athletics is pleased to host the following upcoming Little League Days in the 2023 season:
- March 25 – Mount Dora Babe Ruth League (11:00am)
- April 15 – Tavares Babe Ruth League (12:00pm)
“It’s important to us that our local youth see they have the opportunity to become a Lakehawk and these events are a great way to spark their interest in our College and the athletics program. Our players love spending time with the kids, and it helps them see the impact they have on the young people in our community,” says Billings.
What the Lakehawks are saying
Carson Russell – So. Catcher from Cumming, GA
Do you enjoy spending time with the youth players? The kids look up to you as a college player, how does that make you feel?
I love spending time with the kids. They’re always so excited and it brings back fond memories of playing little league. It makes me feel great knowing that the kids enjoy watching us play, and having them out there with us brings a smile to my face.
Why is giving back to the community important?
Giving back to the community is so important because of what they give to us. If it weren’t for their support, I’m not sure we would be fortunate enough to have the baseball program we do at LSSC.
Ryan Monaghan – So. Infielder from Groveland, FL
Do you enjoy spending time with the youth players? The kids look up to you as a college player, how does that make you feel?
I really enjoy spending time with the youth player because I see myself in them. I see kids that all they want to do is play baseball and have fun with their friends and that motivates me to do the same. It feels awesome to know that the kids look up to us as college players. I’m really proud of our guys and our program for being so professional with the kids and I hope we show them how to conduct themselves with class on and off the field.
Why is giving back to the community important?
Giving back to our community is very important because it brings everyone together. Having everyone together at the ballpark creates a community that more people will want to be part of.
Kendal Spencer – So. Outfielder from Tampa, FL
Do you enjoy spending time with the youth players? The kids look up to you as a college player, how does that make you feel?
I have a great time with the youth players. The energy and passion that they bring give me a reason to keep playing. I was once in their spot and dreamed of playing college baseball and now that I’m here I just hope to be a motivator for them.
Why is giving back to the community important?
It’s important to give back because it connects us to people that can positively impact us for the rest of our lives.
Little League Day Photos from March 4, 2023
