Harrisburg Youth Athletics
Harrisburg Youth Athletics partners with the Harrisburg Township Park District providing recreational and travel baseball and softball as well as recreational flag football to the surrounding communities. Come join in on the fun.
HYA Board Members
Blake Emery, President
Damian Morris, Vice President
Heidi Flannery, Secretary
Evan Denbow
Phil Nyberg
Cameron Rumsey
Richard Rumsey
Meetings: First Sunday of each month at 7 PM at the Harrisburg Park Office. Exact Meeting dates are listed below. Contact Blake Emery at bemery@harrisburgpark.net for more information or to be put on the agenda.
2019 HYA Board Meeting Dates:
January 6, February 10, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1
History
Harrisburg Youth Athletics (HYA) was formed in 1994. Prior to 1994, Harrisburg had two separate youth athletic organizations, the Kiwanis and Khoury League. The Kiwanis was an in-town league that stressed having fun while playing baseball or softball. Khoury League was a traveling venue that stressed competition and took a more serious attitude toward softball and baseball. The two distinct programs did not work hand in hand and while they were fine programs, did not bring together the community. In fact, there were often debates on which program was better for Harrisburg. In 1994, several community leaders got together and thought about how they could improve community support in relation to the summer sports programs. From this meeting came the idea to combine the two programs and not only strengthen community relations but also our summer athletic programs. The Harrisburg Youth Athletic Summer League was formed. HYA combined the best from each program. An in-town league (for youth that simply want to enjoy playing ball) and a travelling program (for those that took the game more seriously) were formed. HYA decided to affiliate with the Pony Organization. This organization offers structured formats for the in-town leagues and stiff competition for the traveling teams. The success of this program has become quite evident by the success of our school baseball and softball programs.
Mission
The main goal of HYA is to ensure that every boy and girl has an equal chance at playing and enjoying a sports program. The success of HYA is not depended upon one or two select players but rather every youth in the program. Every youth in the program is seen as equally important.
Coaches
Coaches are very integral parts of sports. They provide leadership role models for our youth. HYA tries to provide the most qualified and capable person in that role. Character, leadership abilities, and an enjoyment of sports are determining factors in choosing coaches.
Parents
Parents are the biggest influence upon our youth of today. Parents conduct must be exemplary. How our children see us can be a forewarning on how our children will act. We urge all parents of participating youth to take an active interest in the program. This interest can be as a coach or simply supporting your child’s team. We also urge that every parent take the time to help your child, whether it is talking to them about attitudes and effort or playing catch in the back yard. This time that is taken will mean a lot to your child and may bring pleasant memories in the years to come.
Youth
Youth play a very important role in the success of our programs. We expect the youth to conduct themselves in a mannerly fashion. We also expect the youth to respect their coaches, teammates, umpires, and people attending the games. We hope that by setting positive examples as adults our children will follow suit. We would also like to remind everyone that without the youth there would be no HYA.
Recreation League Baseball & Softball
General Information
HYA will offer the following Recreational League Divisions for 2020:
Shetland
Available for all first year players that must be 4 years of age and are in or eligible to be in Pre-K. This is a tee ball program.
Pinto
Kindergarten and 1st grades. This is a coach pitch program. For ages 5, 6, and 7 years old.
Mustang
2nd and 3rd grades. This is a kid pitch program. For ages 8 and 9 years old.
Bronco
4th, 5th, and 6th grades. This is a kid pitch program. For ages 10, 11, and 12 years old.
Fee: $40 per child and $80 family limit.
Season: Practices start in April. Games are played in May and June.
See the Registration Info page for more detailed information.
Coaching Information
Coaches are needed. Contact the Harrisburg Township Park Office at 618-252-2111 or office@harrisburgpark.net if you are interested.
HYA schedules all practices and games.
Click Here for Concussion Information.
Umpire Information
Umpires are needed. Contact the Harrisburg Township Park Office at 618-252-2111 or office@harrisburgpark.net if you are interested.
There will be an umpire meeting on Sunday, March 28, 2020 at the Park Community Room at 2:00 PM.
Travel Team Information
General Information
All players must attend or be eligible to attend Harrisburg Unit #3 School District to try out for the travel teams and they must also meet the league age requirements.
Travel Teams tryouts will be during the summer (near end of June) for the next year's team. For example, the 2020 Travel Team Tryouts were in June 2019.
Any player selected to a HYA Travel Team is asked to not play on other league travel teams. HYA wants commitment to the HYA Program and commitment to the coaches and teammates of the HYA Travel Teams.
Players selected to HYA Travel Teams can play in the HYA Recreation League in addition to being on the HYA Travel Team. This is encouraged.
Travel Team Fee is $175 per child.
Travel Team Season is April to June. At the coach's discretion, there could be optional practices or instruction sessions held outside of the Season dates.
Travel teams will continue to play teams in Southern Illinois area but could travel as far as MetroEast Area, Evansville IN, and Paducah KY.
HYA offers the following travel team options:
- 10U Girls
- 10U Boys
- 12U Girls
- 12U Boys
- 14U Boys
Announcements
10U Girls
The 2020 10U Girls Travel Team has been selected.
10U Boys
The 2020 10U Boys Travel Team has been selected.
12U Girls
The 2020 12U Girls Travel Team has been selected.
12U Boys
The 2020 12U Boys Travel Team still has room for a couple more players and is in need of a Head Coach. Anyone interested in playing or coaching should contact the Harrisburg Park District Office for more information.
14U Boys
The 2020 14U Boys Travel Team will hold tryouts Sunday August 11, 2019 at Paul Emery Park Gibbs Field from 3:00 - 5:00 PM.
Flag Football
General Information
Open to all boys and girls in 1st through 6th grade.
Games are held every Saturday and there is one or two practices per week.
See the Registration Info page for more detailed information.
There are 3 leagues:
1st & 2nd Grade
3rd & 4th Grade
5th & 6th Grade
Coaching Information
Coaches are needed. Contact the Harrisburg Township Park Office at 618-252-2111 or office@harrisburgpark.net if you are interested.
HYA does not schedule practices. The fields for practice are available at a first come first serve basis and it is up to the coach on when to practice. If the fields are crowded please only use half the field and let another team use the other half.
Click Here for Concussion Information.
Click Here for an Example Playbook of flag football plays.
Click Here for the 2019 Flag Football Rules.
Referee Information
Volunteer Referees are needed. Contact the Harrisburg Township Park Office at 618-252-2111 or office@harrisburgpark.net if you are interested.
2019 Flag Football
Open to all boys and girls: 1st through 6th grade.
Registration will end Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Noon.
Teams will be picked Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the Park Community Room.
Fees: $40 per child
Season: September 14, 2019 - October 19, 2019. Games are held every Saturday during this time.
There are 3 leagues:
1st & 2nd Grade
3rd & 4th Grade
5th & 6th Grade
Registration Forms can be picked up and turned into the Park Office Monday - Friday from 8AM to 4PM. Please call or email the Park Office for more information at 618-252-2111 or office@harrisburgpark.net.
2020 Baseball and Softball Recreation League
Forms will be sent to the school for all Pre-K through 6th grade students on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. Sign-ups for HYA baseball and softball recreation league program will run from January 21, 2020 through February 22, 2020. There will be absolutely no late sign-ups allowed.
Registration Forms can be picked up and turned into the Park Office Monday - Friday from 8AM to 4PM starting January 21, 2020. Please call or email the Park Office for more information at 618-252-2111 or office@harrisburgpark.net.
Baseball & Softball
HYA Baseball & Softball Recreation League Games are played at the Gaskins City Complex located at 1 Felton Road in Harrisburg.
Practices are held at the Gaskins City Complex or at the Shaw Street Practice Fields located in Paul Emery Park.
Flag Football
Flag Football games and practices are held at the Bill Rice Memorial Soccer Complex located at 1000 West Poplar Street in Harrisburg directly across from the Harrisburg Township Park District Office.
Field 1 - 1st and 2nd Grade
Field 2 - 3rd and 4th Grade
Field 3 - 5th and 6th Grade
Sponsorship Information
Harrisburg Youth Athletics is supported by volunteers and local business and organizations. The strong support of our community and businesses is what makes HYA possible. Please help HYA in any way you can to help support the youth of our community.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Baseball & Softball Team Sponsor $350
Donation Opportunities: HYA - Kiwanis Annual Radio Auction - Donate Items or Cash Donation
Fundraisers: Hold your own fundraiser with proceeds donated to HYA
Advertisement Opportunities: HYA Baseball & Softball Fence Signs (April to July) $100 per year. Click Here for more information.
HYA Important Dates - 2019
Flag Football Important Dates
Saturday, August 24, 2019 – Last day for Flag Football Registration (8:00 AM to Noon). No late registrations will be accepted after that date.
Sunday, August 25, 2019 – Head Coaches Meeting at Park Community Room at 2:00 PM to select teams. Head Coaches must attend this meeting.
Saturday, September 14, 2019 – Games Begin
Saturday, October 5, 2019 – Flag Football Picture Day
Saturday, October 19, 2019 – Games End
Always check our website at http://harrisburgpark.net/HYA and our Facebook page for updates and information.
HYA Important Dates - 2020
Recreation League Baseball and Softball Important Dates
Saturday, February 22, 2020 – Last day for Recreation League Baseball and Softball Registration (8:00 AM to Noon). No late registrations accepted after that date.
Sunday, February 23, 2020 – Coaches Meeting at Park Community Room at 2:00 PM. Anyone interested in being a head coach or assistant coach must attend this meeting. Will discuss rules, new changes, rate the players, and determine the number of teams for each league. If you do not attend this meeting then there is a chance that you will not be selected as a head coach.
Sunday, February 29, 2020 – Head Coaches Meeting at Park Community Room at 2:00 PM to select teams. Coaches that were selected to be Head Coach must attend this meeting. All teams will be selected, rosters completed, sponsors determined, and uniforms ordered. No new teams will be formed after this final selection.
Sunday, March 28, 2020 – Head Coaches Meeting at Park Community Room at 2:00 PM. This meeting is to inform, assist, and train our coaches as we discuss rules, umpires, and concessions. At this meeting coaches will pick up equipment bag, key, practice schedule, and picture day information. This meeting will also include an umpire clinic discussing what is expected from coaches and umpires. No equipment will be handed our prior to this meeting. Head Coaches must attend this meeting. Anyone interested in umpiring must also attend this meeting.
Week of April 1, 2020 – Practices Begin
Baseball and Softball Picture Day – To Be Determined
Week of May 1, 2020 – Games will start and continue through June 27, 2020.
Travel League Baseball and Softball Important Dates
Week of June 22 to June 27, 2020 – Travel Team Tryouts for 2021 Travel Teams
Flag Football Important Dates
Saturday, August 22, 2020 – Last day for Flag Football Registration (8:00 AM to Noon). No late registrations accepted after that date.
Sunday, August 23, 2020 – Head Coaches Meeting at Park Community Room at 2:00 PM to select teams. Head Coaches must attend this meeting.
Saturday, September 12, 2020 – Games Begin
Flag Football Picture Day – To Be Determined
Saturday, October 17, 2020 – Games End
Always check our website at http://harrisburgpark.net/HYA and our Facebook page for updates and information.
