Youth Baseball

On a recent afternoon, two kids played basketball at the eastern end of North Harford Park, off Hamlet Avenue. At the other end, on Laurelton Avenue, two school buses slowed a stop and a dozen kids poured out. They milled around a nearby apartment complex for a while, teasing and chasing each other. Sitting between the two scenes is a pair of vacant baseball fields - or what used to be baseball fields. Or, if Stephen Johnson and Shane Scott are successful in their mission, what will soon be baseball fields again.

Sports Legends Museum Terps coach Williams to be inducted into Hall of Legends Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams will be honored by the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards and inducted into its newly created Hall of Legends on Sept. 30, the museum announced. Entering the Hall of Legends with Williams in this first class of inductees are baseball Hall of Famer and Baltimore native Babe Ruth , former Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas , former Ravens owner Art Modell , former ABC sportscaster and Loyola alumnus Jim McKay and Orioles Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson . These six inductees will be permanently featured in a new gallery at Sports Legends Museum that is reserved to honor individuals who have contributed above and beyond at the top echelon of state and national athletics.

SYKESVILLE -- The red, white and blue American flag danced high in the breezy evening air Friday night at Obrecht Field, home of Sykesville youth baseball.The Dodgers were taking on the Giants in a Major Division playoff game on one field, and other fields were busy as well.Sykesville is celebrating its 40th year of youth baseball this year. The first eight years, from 1952 through 1960, were played at the old Sykesville Elementary. Obrecht Field has been the home since.Bill McClanahan, who today is a neighbor to the ball fields, played in the program in its first years and has coached his two sons -- Bryan, 21 and Jason, 14 -- in the program.

Ripken Baseball and Great American Sports Management will hold a youth baseball coaches' convention Feb. 6-8 in Tinley Park, Ill. The Great American Baseball Show will feature more than 150 baseball exhibitors as well as a series of coaches' clinics with Cal Ripken Jr., Bill Ripken and other members of the Ripken Baseball staff. "It is a great opportunity for us to take our brand of instruction into a baseball hotbed such as the Chicago area," Cal Ripken said. "We have been targeting coaches and coaches' education as an efficient way to influence as many youth baseball players as possible."

Eric Sopracasa, a junior midfielder at the University of Massachusetts, is one of only two lacrosse players known to have died after being struck in the chest with a ball, a leading cardiac researcher said.Sopracasa, from Farmingville, N.Y., collapsed after being hit by a ball in practice Wednesday, said UMass officials. He was later pronounced dead at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. The cause of death is unknown, but the circumstances are similar to those of several young athletes who have died after being struck in the chest with a baseball or hockey puck.

The deadline for submitting sports copy is 9 a.m. Monday. We prefer email (howardcountysports@patuxent.com). Questions? Call 410-332-6605. Volleyball Maryland Juniors is hosting a Juniors Volleyball Development Clinic this winter. Go to http://www.mdjrs.org for more details.   Baseball The Tri-County Umpires Association is holding classes for anyone interested in umpiring youth baseball in Howard County, Baltimore and the surrounding areas.

A 24-year-old coach in a Columbia youth baseball league who was charged last week with sexually abusing one of his players is on probation for a similar incident in Prince George's County.Terry Kevin Ward was arrested by Howard County police Friday and charged with child abuse and a fourth-degree sexual offense for allegedly masturbating on a 14-year-old player with the Mets team of the Columbia Youth Baseball Association.Ward, of the 5400 block of Cedar Lane, was released Saturday after he posted a $2,500 bond.

This weekend marks a tradition that goes hand in glove with spring: opening day for youth baseball in Howard County. For coaches of T-ball players, those 5- or 6-year-olds who haven't the faintest idea what the game is about, it's time to crank up the patience and haul out the sense of humor. For recreation-level coaches, dust off your memories and polish your tact, remembering that your job is to teach, not win, while understanding that kids will be kids. And for travel-team coaches, rein in the ego. Remember that baseball is just a game and that no matter what, who wins and who loses will be forgotten, mostly, by midsummer.

RELAX! RELAX! Relax!" The child's grip tightens around the aluminum bat with every word, his feet dig deeper into the dirt with every command. The irony of a parent tensely screaming at a batter to relax is lost on a boy who wishes he could disappear. "Just have fun! Just have fun!" The child steps off the mound and squeezes the ball and peers sadly into home plate as though it's a stack of homework. The irony of a parent angrily screaming at a pitcher to have fun is lost on a boy who just wants to play catch.

Tomorrow morning in North Baltimore, I expect to be surrounded by Crickets. I'll probably catch a glimpse of 14 Gophers. And it would not be surprising to encounter roving bands of Knights and Wizards. It sounds harrowing, but it's Opening Day of the youth baseball season. Of all the traditions and rituals of kids sports, nothing compares with Opening Day. For the parents, there's the challenge of finding a parking space and the risk some chilly mornings of losing a finger to frostbite.