The Purest Form of Baseball: NELA Youth Baseball brings more than just wins and losses

WEST MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD) —

When it comes to athletic competition–it is natural to always want to win,

It is easy to get caught up in the wins and losses in the heat of competition, but at the end of the day–it’s just a game.

Youth baseball is a constant reminder of that as it is a chance to see the game played in its purest form.

It serves as a chance to not only help teach the game of baseball but also to never take the game too seriously.

After all–baseball will always be a kid’s game–no matter the level.

That is what the West Monroe Dixie Youth League continues to instill in the young all-stars.

Little do they know the impact they are making.

“It is one of the best feelings watching a kid, that has never even played ball before, fall in love with the game right in front of your eyes,” Swan.

Stacy Swan has been coaching in the West Monroe Dixie Youth leage for the past 10 years now.

A competitive league with some very talented young players.

Although every team hits the field looking to bring home a win–at the end of the day–there is something that is prioritized over the final outcome of the game.

“We line up the players before every game before they shake hands and we say what’s our main rule? The main rule is did you have fun because that’s what it’s all about.”

Darby Downey is a manager in the league as well and has seen his fair share of youth baseball.

Downey has dedicated countless hours on the diamond preparing his team not only for competition, but also for the more important things in life.

“It’s a great time having fun and learning life,” said Downey. “Learning about a failure and have fun.”

Downey has seen growth in each player he has coached going from young kids just learning the game to young adults on the path to success.

To some, youth sports may just seem like another hobby to get kids active–but in reality–it is much much more.

“You see kids who couldn’t deal with the failure, now they can,” said Downey. “It grows them into adults and teaches them a lot.”

“If we lose we lose, but we still had fun at the end of the day,” Swan said. “We still mattered at the end of the day. That’s what we instill in each of these players is just to do your best.”

But Swan says one of the best parts of it all is seeing the community really rally behind the kids to show them just how special they are.

“Just to look back at your bleachers when you’re standing out on the field and maybe you’re on first or you’re on third or you’re pitching to the kids and to look back at your fans and your bleachers are full,” said Swan. “Just having that support behind each kid, that’s just amazing in itself.”