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Sports and Recreation

Baseball and Youth Leagues
 

Somewhere in between youth baseball and semi-pro are the American Legion baseball programs. Area high schools are the feeder system for these high-level amateur teams, which accept outstanding players up to age 19. These games are listed in the Star-News and other local media and are great fun to watch.

However, if your little Derek Jeeter is just starting out, the region has several youth baseball leagues. The youth leagues offer divisions from T-ball for toddlers to baseball for teens through age 18, and some offer softball too. Registration generally takes place from early February through mid-March and fees vary. The playing season begins in April. Registrants need to present their birth certificates. Contact one of the organizations below for specifics.

The Optimist clubs sponsor many, many teams in our area. Their clubhouse numbers are listed here, but be advised that you'll seldom get an answer except during the evenings when meetings are held, so watch for flyers at schools, announcements in the newspapers and notices posted in the parks.  PW 12-29-06

Wilmington

Cape Fear Optimist Club, (910) 762-7065 (1st, 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays after 7 PM)  PW 12-29-06

New Hanover County Parks Department, (910) 798-7198 PW 12-29-06

Supper Optimist Club, (910) 791-5272 (1st & 3rd Mondays after 7 PM) PW 01-03-07

Winter Park Optimist Club, (910) 791-7907  PW 12-4-05
 

Wilmington Family YMCA

2710 Market St., Wilmington
(910) 251-9622
www.wilmingtonfamilyymca.org

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Wilmington Family YMCA offers T-ball for ages 4 through 8. This co-ed instruction program is designed to be non-competitive and focuses on rules and techniques of the game.KW 02-15-08

Brunswick County

Brunswick County Parks and Recreation, (910) 253-2670,
(800) 222-4790 RP 06-07-07

Onslow County

Onslow County Parks and Recreation, (910) 347-5332 KW 06-07-07

 

Spectator Baseball
 

The Wilmington Sharks
2149 Carolina Beach Rd., Wilmington
(910) 343-5621

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One of 15 teams in the Coastal Plain League, the Wilmington Sharks debuted in 1997 and now average 1,500 fans per game. This summer league features undergraduate college players competing in 15 cities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The level of play is said to be comparable to that of single A minor league teams. The Sharks are officially sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball and draw players from top college programs like University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW), North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, East Carolina University and Clemson University.

The league's 56-game regular season is capped by a best-of-three championship playoff in mid-August. The Sharks play their 28 home games, beginning around Memorial Day, at Legion Stadium Sports Complex on Carolina Beach Road. Single-ticket prices range from $4 for kids and seniors to $8 for a box seat. Season tickets cost $150 for box seats, $125 for reserved seats and $100 for general admission.  PW 12-29-06

 
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