Text
The block most of a site is made of: headings, paragraphs, lists, a quote, a link. Write it the way you would explain the program to a new family at the field. This page shows the same kind of text in every row layout, so you can see how a paragraph reads across the full page, beside a rail, and in a third.
A tip that holds on every template: keep one idea per heading, and let a list carry anything a family will scan for, like what to bring or when things close.
Full width
One column across the page. The default, and what most of a site is.
About LSYBA
Lakeshore Youth Baseball Association has run community baseball on the lakeshore since 1974. Every spring about 800 kids from kindergarten through 8th grade pull on an LSYBA jersey, most of them in our in-house league, where teams are drafted to be even and every player bats. Our travel program adds tryout-based teams from 9U to 15U for families ready for a bigger commitment. Whatever the level, the point is the same: a season a kid remembers for the right reasons.
In-house baseball is where most of our players start and where many of them stay. Teams practice once a week and play twice, always on LSYBA fields, and the schedule is built around school calendars so nobody has to choose between a game and a spring concert. Coaches are parent volunteers who complete our coaching clinic in March; every team has at least two. Registration opens in January and closes when the divisions fill, which some years is early.
What to bring to the first practice
- A glove that fits, not a hand-me-down two sizes up
- A helmet with a face guard for in-house play
- Molded cleats; metal spikes are not allowed on our fields
- A water bottle with a name on it
- Sunscreen, and a jacket for April
Travel baseball is a bigger commitment, and we say so up front. Teams are formed at tryouts in August, practice twice a week from April, and play a league schedule plus three to four weekend tournaments between May and July. Families should expect about twelve hours a week in season and some early Saturday drives. In return, players get consistent coaching at their level, real competition, and teammates they will still be playing with in high school.
The best thing about LSYBA is that my kid comes home talking about the game, not the score.
Fall ball is the low-pressure season. Six weeks of Sunday games in September and October, no standings, and a rule that every player pitches at least once. It is the best place for a kid who is on the fence about travel to find out, and for a returning player to work on something new. Registration opens the day the summer season ends.
Two equal columns
Half and half. Two things of equal weight, like in-house beside travel.
Weather
When the weather turns, the decision to play is made field by field, not league-wide, because a storm over Cedar Lake can miss Lakeshore Park entirely. Closures post to the fields page and go out by text to the affected teams. If a game is cancelled after the first pitch, it is rescheduled when the schedule allows, and if it is not, it is not made up.
We coach kids, not baseball. That means every player on an in-house roster gets equal innings, batting orders rotate, and a coach who runs up a score hears from the league. At the travel level playing time is earned, and we say that at tryouts, but the same rule about respect applies to every umpire, opponent and parent.
About LSYBA
Lakeshore Youth Baseball Association has run community baseball on the lakeshore since 1974. Every spring about 800 kids from kindergarten through 8th grade pull on an LSYBA jersey, most of them in our in-house league, where teams are drafted to be even and every player bats. Our travel program adds tryout-based teams from 9U to 15U for families ready for a bigger commitment. Whatever the level, the point is the same: a season a kid remembers for the right reasons.
In-house baseball is where most of our players start and where many of them stay. Teams practice once a week and play twice, always on LSYBA fields, and the schedule is built around school calendars so nobody has to choose between a game and a spring concert. Coaches are parent volunteers who complete our coaching clinic in March; every team has at least two. Registration opens in January and closes when the divisions fill, which some years is early.
Wide + rail
Two thirds, then a third. The main thing on the left, something short on the right.
Sponsors
Sponsorship keeps registration fees where they are. A sponsor's banner hangs on the outfield fence at Lakeshore Park for the whole season, their logo goes on a team's jerseys, and they are thanked at Opening Day in front of about a thousand people. Packages start at $500 and every dollar goes to fields, equipment and scholarships for families who need help with fees.
The association was founded in 1974 by six families who wanted a league closer than the one across the county. The first season had four teams and one field with a hand-painted scoreboard. Today LSYBA fields more than sixty teams a year, has sent players to college programs and two to the minor leagues, and still keeps that scoreboard, repainted, at Field 1.
The travel commitment
- Two practices a week from April
- A league schedule plus three to four weekend tournaments
- About twelve hours a week in season
- Fees of $725 to $1,200 depending on the level, with a payment plan available
Every coach and volunteer who works with players completes a background check and the concussion training our state requires. Games follow pitch-count limits by age, lightning stops play for thirty minutes from the last strike, and every dugout has a first-aid kit and an emergency card for each player. Parents can read the full safety policy in the documents section.
Weather
When the weather turns, the decision to play is made field by field, not league-wide, because a storm over Cedar Lake can miss Lakeshore Park entirely. Closures post to the fields page and go out by text to the affected teams. If a game is cancelled after the first pitch, it is rescheduled when the schedule allows, and if it is not, it is not made up.
On game day
- Arrive thirty minutes before first pitch
- Check the fields page before you leave the house
- Park in the north lot at Lakeshore Park
- Cheer for every kid on the field
Rail + wide
A third, then two thirds. The rail leads; use it when the short thing matters first.
Fall ball
Fall ball is the low-pressure season. Six weeks of Sunday games in September and October, no standings, and a rule that every player pitches at least once. It is the best place for a kid who is on the fence about travel to find out, and for a returning player to work on something new. Registration opens the day the summer season ends.
Before you register
- Your player's birth certificate, the first time only
- A second emergency contact who can reach the field in twenty minutes
- The grade your player will be in this fall
- A photo for the roster, if you have one handy
Sponsors
Sponsorship keeps registration fees where they are. A sponsor's banner hangs on the outfield fence at Lakeshore Park for the whole season, their logo goes on a team's jerseys, and they are thanked at Opening Day in front of about a thousand people. Packages start at $500 and every dollar goes to fields, equipment and scholarships for families who need help with fees.
The association was founded in 1974 by six families who wanted a league closer than the one across the county. The first season had four teams and one field with a hand-painted scoreboard. Today LSYBA fields more than sixty teams a year, has sent players to college programs and two to the minor leagues, and still keeps that scoreboard, repainted, at Field 1.
The travel commitment
- Two practices a week from April
- A league schedule plus three to four weekend tournaments
- About twelve hours a week in season
- Fees of $725 to $1,200 depending on the level, with a payment plan available
Every coach and volunteer who works with players completes a background check and the concussion training our state requires. Games follow pitch-count limits by age, lightning stops play for thirty minutes from the last strike, and every dugout has a first-aid kit and an emergency card for each player. Parents can read the full safety policy in the documents section.
Three equal columns
Thirds. Three short things side by side. On a phone they stack in order.
About LSYBA
Lakeshore Youth Baseball Association has run community baseball on the lakeshore since 1974. Every spring about 800 kids from kindergarten through 8th grade pull on an LSYBA jersey, most of them in our in-house league, where teams are drafted to be even and every player bats. Our travel program adds tryout-based teams from 9U to 15U for families ready for a bigger commitment. Whatever the level, the point is the same: a season a kid remembers for the right reasons.
What to bring to the first practice
- A glove that fits, not a hand-me-down two sizes up
- A helmet with a face guard for in-house play
- Molded cleats; metal spikes are not allowed on our fields
- A water bottle with a name on it
- Sunscreen, and a jacket for April
Fall ball
Fall ball is the low-pressure season. Six weeks of Sunday games in September and October, no standings, and a rule that every player pitches at least once. It is the best place for a kid who is on the fence about travel to find out, and for a returning player to work on something new. Registration opens the day the summer season ends.
Before you register
- Your player's birth certificate, the first time only
- A second emergency contact who can reach the field in twenty minutes
- The grade your player will be in this fall
- A photo for the roster, if you have one handy
Sponsors
Sponsorship keeps registration fees where they are. A sponsor's banner hangs on the outfield fence at Lakeshore Park for the whole season, their logo goes on a team's jerseys, and they are thanked at Opening Day in front of about a thousand people. Packages start at $500 and every dollar goes to fields, equipment and scholarships for families who need help with fees.
The travel commitment
- Two practices a week from April
- A league schedule plus three to four weekend tournaments
- About twelve hours a week in season
- Fees of $725 to $1,200 depending on the level, with a payment plan available
Half + two quarters
A half, then two quarters. One main thing and two small ones beside it.
Weather
When the weather turns, the decision to play is made field by field, not league-wide, because a storm over Cedar Lake can miss Lakeshore Park entirely. Closures post to the fields page and go out by text to the affected teams. If a game is cancelled after the first pitch, it is rescheduled when the schedule allows, and if it is not, it is not made up.
We coach kids, not baseball. That means every player on an in-house roster gets equal innings, batting orders rotate, and a coach who runs up a score hears from the league. At the travel level playing time is earned, and we say that at tryouts, but the same rule about respect applies to every umpire, opponent and parent.
About LSYBA
Lakeshore Youth Baseball Association has run community baseball on the lakeshore since 1974. Every spring about 800 kids from kindergarten through 8th grade pull on an LSYBA jersey, most of them in our in-house league, where teams are drafted to be even and every player bats. Our travel program adds tryout-based teams from 9U to 15U for families ready for a bigger commitment. Whatever the level, the point is the same: a season a kid remembers for the right reasons.
What to bring to the first practice
- A glove that fits, not a hand-me-down two sizes up
- A helmet with a face guard for in-house play
- Molded cleats; metal spikes are not allowed on our fields
- A water bottle with a name on it
- Sunscreen, and a jacket for April
Fall ball
Fall ball is the low-pressure season. Six weeks of Sunday games in September and October, no standings, and a rule that every player pitches at least once. It is the best place for a kid who is on the fence about travel to find out, and for a returning player to work on something new. Registration opens the day the summer season ends.
Before you register
- Your player's birth certificate, the first time only
- A second emergency contact who can reach the field in twenty minutes
- The grade your player will be in this fall
- A photo for the roster, if you have one handy