Winter break baseball at DePaul College Prep

Ryne and buddies at winter break Baseball Camp at DePaul College Prep.

We're always looking for fun and cheap stuff for our kids to do over school breaks.  The city offers so many nearby resources through various institutions. Our son and several Welles Park Baseball teammates are participating this week in a DePaul College Prep youth baseball camp featuring the high school coaches and players. Look for these camps and other resources through Welles Park Parents Association web site.

Welles Park Baseball: Coach pitch!

I have taken great pride in "coach pitching" to our Junior White Sox team at Welles Park Baseball (WPPA).  I've only beaned three of our players all year (okay, four players and one kid twice... sorry Izzy).

One of the great joys this spring and summer has been my son's Welles Park baseball team.  The Welles Park Parent Association is a well run baseball league in Lincoln Square/ North Center with a wealth of experience, resources and opportunities for young baseball players.  I've really enjoyed the many parents I've met as well.  The league is popular so visit their web site linked above for registration information.

These kids love playing catcher!

Welles Park Baseball at "Thillens" Stadium... a Chicago tradition

Our son safe at second base with the Stadium scoreboard in the background. Ryne led off the big game with a base hit.

We spent our first Sunday morning of baseball at the Stadium at Devon and Kedzie (formerly known as Thillens Stadium).  Our 7yr old's team took the field for the Welles Park Parents Association weekend.  The fields were in great shape after a wet evening of downpours.

It was an "old school weekend" with the kids making the game call from the announcer booth.  The players were smiling and laughing as their new nicknames were called over the loudspeaker. Our seven and eight year old players dreamed of swinging for the fences.

Ryne lines a base hit late in the game

 We've enjoyed our first season with Welles Park Baseball and look forward to many more Stadium games with our whole family.  Our son may even find his team jersey by then!