League 42™, named in honor of the great Jackie Robinson, is a youth baseball league, comprised primarily of urban children, ages 5 – 14, many of whom have not had the opportunity to play baseball before. Registration for the league is $30 per family, not per player; making the world of baseball affordable for all who wish to play. That fee provides each player with a full uniform (jersey, pants, belt and hat), a baseball glove and additional playing equipment such as catcher’s gear, bats and balls. Additionally, registered League 42™ players are invited to clinics led by some of Wichita’s greatest baseball experts throughout the off-season and off-field activities such as movie days, bowling days, a trip to a Kansas City Royals game and the Negro League Museum for our Dodger and Champions Division Players (ages 11 -12 & 13 - 14). League 42™ is entering its eighth season in April with around 540 players and anticipates growth to 600-650 players in the future, post-COVID. In 2020, there were just more than 600 players enrolled to play on 44 teams before the season was canceled due to COVID concerns. League 42 plays its games on three fields at the north end of McAdams Park. There is a turf field that was built in 2016 and two bigger fields that were renovated in 2018. The city of Wichita and its parks and recreation division have been outstanding partners for our league since the outset. This year, we will unveil a Jackie Robinson Pavillion on April 15, which is Jackie Robinson Day around Major League Baseball. A life-size statue of Jackie, done by Derby sculptor John Parsons, will highlight the Pavillion, which we believe will be a Wichita landmark. We are also in the midst of a fundraising campaign that will result in a fourth baseball field and a new building at 1212 E. 17th that will house our office, an indoor baseball training facility/community center and a computer lab that will be used for after-school tutoring in reading (young kids) and math (middle schoolers). We want to have that building operational for the 2022-23 school year. How Can I support League 42™? In-kind donations of goods and services as well as donations of time and equipment are vital to the League’s success. Equipment: We accept donations of equipment year-round. Our greatest need is youth baseball gloves, new or gently used. Arrangements for equipment donations can be made by calling our 316-655-1028. Time: An organization like League 42™ relies heavily on volunteers for its success. From coaches and assistants to parent team ambassadors to fundraising and planning committees, on and off the field events; whether you have an hour a month or 20 hours a week, we have a multitude of volunteer positions that will fit into your schedule. Call 316-655-1028 or email [email protected] to find out more about the opportunities to get involved. In-kind donations: The day-to-day operations of League 42™ require a multitude of supplies to function properly. If you or your company would like to explore an in-kind donation of product or service to our League, please see the list below and contact us to find out more about some specific sponsorship opportunities available:
Whether you have an hour or a year, $5 or $50,000, your passion for baseball can make a difference in a child’s life and the Wichita community. We would love to share more details with you. If your church, school, business or civic organization would like a League 42™ representative to make a presentation to your group we would be thrilled to make that happen. For more information, call us at 316-655-1028 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Financial donations can be made by sending to: League 42, P.O. Box 20026, Wichita, KS, 67208. Or you can go to our website at league42.org and donate there by using the "donate" button.
