By Jordan Schachterle

Declin and Jessa

The Surveyor

Youth sports have started up this summer in the town of Berthoud. Kids of all ages are involved in many sports, from t-ball to softball.

Jessa at bat.

Little Sluggers is a program for four-year-olds to learn the basics of baseball. There are 21 kids in the program, and they are learning how to hit, field, run and throw. The Little Sluggers began with practice, learning all the pieces to baseball, and are now playing games. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings the sluggers play games using basic t-ball rules. The program is run by six coaches who all have baseball and softball experience.

The Berthoud Parks and Recreation Department introduced a league-based t-ball program for the first time this year. The program is for five- and six-year-olds to further their baseball and softball skills. Each team has up to eight players and is coached by a volunteer parent. They play games and practice on weeknights in Berthoud. They get to end their season with Big-League Night.

The Berthoud, Windsor, and Thompson River Parks and Recreation departments have formed a youth baseball league together. The teams cover ages seven to 12 and play in Berthoud, Windsor and Milliken. The league has begun their games playing on weeknights at the Bein and Town baseball parks in Berthoud. The newly-formed league provides a fun environment for its participants.

Jessa rounds first base while coach is Morgan Schachterle watches on.

Boys ages 12 to 14 play in the Greeley/Evans Youth League. The league is aimed toward players who want to continue their career in baseball to the next level. Their games are also played on weeknights at the Town and Bein baseball parks.

Baelor fielding a ball.

Girls from age seven to 14 are playing softball in the Indian Peaks Girls Softball Association. The teams from Berthoud travel around Northern Colorado to play many teams in the league. The girls compete for a chance to play in the end-of-season tournament, which takes place in July. Home games are played on weeknights in Berthoud.

Berthoud Parks and Recreation hosted the first session of the Multi-Day Sports camp last week. The camp covers many sports, from football to ultimate frisbee to soccer. Kids ages four to 12 can participate in the camp. The camp takes place every morning for a week from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The camp is a great way for kids to meet new people and learn new sports. The camp is run by Bethany Surowka and many high-school-aged students with backgrounds in sports are additional coaches. There are still three sessions available for registration.

There are plenty of programs available to keep kids of all ages busy all summer long. From martial arts to swimming lessons, the Town of Berthoud Parks and Recreation department offers many activities that can fill everyone’s interests. Some programs have already been started and can no longer be joined, but there are many in June and July that are still available for registration. For more information about youth sports programs and registration, visit www.berthoud.org/departments/parks-recreation.