LAWRENCE LIONS YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL: A HOMERUN FOR LEARNING! Amanda McIntyre

PROJECT OVERVIEW: Research Questions: 1. What kind of learning happens when playing baseball? 2. What is the impact LLYBS has on kids parents/families and the community?

Lawrence Lions Youth Baseball and Softball (LLYBS) has been a mainstay in the Lawrence community for over fifty years. LLYBS is a personal, work/professional, and geographical community which) provides an “Education in the community” LLYBS is located at Lawrence Community Park 5301 N. Franklin Road Indianapolis, IN 46226

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The beginning of LLYBS

The Lawrence Lions Club The LLYBS was founded by the Lawrence Lions Club which is a service club. Two goals of the Lions club are: “Reaching beyond business issues and addressing the betterment of their communities and the world.” “To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meeting humanitarian needs.”

BASES LOADED: Description of Learning Activities

First Base: LLYBS Goals The goal of the LLYBS league is to be able to provide a fun and educational experience to any child that comes to our league. Along with teaching the fundamentals of baseball or softball, our coaches try to impact the important life lessons of sportsmanship, perseverance, and teamwork” The LLYBS is committed to developing character, leadership, integrity and sportsmanship, while teaching sports fundamentals and having fun.

Second Base: Play As A Way of Learning LLYBS provides “play as a way of learning.” According to proponents of the concept, play enables children to make sense of their world, as children possess a natural curiosity to explore and play acts as a medium to do so. Play must be pleasurable and enjoyable. Play must have no extrinsic goals; there is no prescribed learning that must occur. Play is spontaneous and voluntary. Play involves active engagement on the part of the player. Play involves an element of make-believe. “The tension between the rules of the game and the freedom to act within those rules. Play also creates a context in which information, ideas, and passions grow” (Thomas & Brown, 2011, p.18)

Third Base: The Volunteers LLYBS coaches are expected to be positive role models and model citizens. They are held to the highest standard of integrity and ethics. They have the opportunity and responsibility to positively influence children for the challenges of life. LLYBS coaches are the foundation and backbone of the league.

Home Plate: Baseball Fundamentals Throwing Stance Ball position Hitting Gripping the Bat Ball Contact Hand position on contact Catching Squaring up to the ball Fingers up/fingers down Two handed catch Running Crossover step

LLYBS: A Homerun for Learning!