By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director

BUCYRUS — Little League has been part of summers in Bucyrus for over half a century.

Though there have been some changes to the structure of the local league over the years, hundreds of Bucyrus area kids still have a place to play organized baseball, softball and T-ball in 2018.

“We had around 350 kids participating in the five divisions this year, between baseball, softball and T-ball,” Little League president Cory Tyrrell said. “Number-wise, we are sustaining or even growing. The park’s been full this year almost every night with games. The weather’s cooperated. It’s been a great season overall.”

The season got underway on April 28. Aumiller Park contains five fields. Three, south of the swimming pool, dubbed Field of Dreams, are for T-ball and minor baseball and softball. The two to the north and west of the pool are home to major (12U) baseball and softball.

“We had six 12U major baseball teams this year and eight 10U minor baseball teams,” Tyrrell said. “We grew to five 10U minor softball teams and we had 13 T-ball teams. Teams range from 10-12 player across all the divisions.”

The only segment of the league that is not stand-alone in the Bucyrus system is 12U major girls. With only three teams, other arrangements had to be made.

“There are only three teams in major softball,” Tyrrell said. “To keep from playing each other night after night, we brought in Galion and Crestline.”

The regular season was completed in major boys on Monday evening. Bucyrus Road Materials defeated Police, 11-4, to secure the regular-season title with a 14-0-1 record. The city tournament will conclude with the championship game on Friday night.

However, the major boys will extend the season in the district all-star tournament, which will take place in Bucyrus.

“We’re hosting the district all-stars for the 12U major boys,” Tyrrell said. “We’ll have teams from New London, Fremont, Shelby and Bellevue. Play will start June 29 and go through the week of July 4. The last time we hosted an event was five years ago when we had the softball tournament.”

Tyrrell noted that he appreciates the support the league receives from the city and other local agencies. He and the board are continually striving to improve the facilities.

“We keep equipment safety up-to-date,” Tyrrell said. “And we’re working on funding for lights down below (the minor and T-ball league fields) so all fields will have lights.”

If anyone is interested in helping the league financially, Tyrrell said he or any of the seven board members could assist.

“We’ve always been a non-profit, 501C3,” Tyrrell said. “Go through any of our board members or contact me directly. Our members are listed on our web site.”

Details can be found online at www.bucyruslittleleague.com.