Summer Rec Program Offers Opportunity for Students to Stay Active

students the opportunity to get outside and stay active,” says Kristen Ator, manager of the Crosby Summer Rec program.

Ator, who is also a 3rd grade teacher at Divide Elementary, got her start with Crosby’s Summer Rec program three years ago. “My husband Nick was asked to help with the field maintenance and game scheduling. He was already coaching, and it just became a lot to manage, so I helped him with it. This will be my second summer managing the scheduling on my own, while Nick continues to coach and maintain the grounds.”

“When we moved here, we were looking for opportunities for our kids to get involved in activities,” notes Kristen. Our oldest was four at the time, and she had a great summer playing parent-led t-ball. She continues to play, and it’s so fun to see all the kids grow and develop their skills and have fun while being part of a team.”

Summer Rec offers t-ball, baseball and softball options for boys and girls. Their team placement depends on their age as of January 1st, 2023. “T-ball offers two different teams,” explains Ator. “We have a parent-led team for students under age 5, where the parks district provides all the equipment and all the parents help the kids with batting and running the bases. It’s a great opportunity for younger children to have fun while developing basic skills. The traveling baseball team for kids ages 5-7 has their own designated coach, and typically plays games in our local region – Kenmare, Bowbells, Stanley, Ray, Powers Lake and

Tioga. It’s another opportunity for kids to have fun with their friends in a safe but active environment.”

In addition to the t-ball teams, Crosby Summer Rec offers baseball in two different age divisions: Peewees, ages 8-10, and Midgets, ages 11-12. “We typically field two peewee teams,” notes Ator. “One team is “coach-pitch” and the other is “player-pitch.” Part of my job is helping parents decide which team is the best fit for their child based on age, experience and the child’s personality. It helps that I know most of the kids from school, so I already have a pretty good idea of which team they’d be more comfortable playing on,” says Kristen. Ator also notes that some girls choose to play peewee coach-pitch baseball before transitioning to the sometimes faster-paced 12U girls softball. “It’s a great opportunity for them to continue building their skills before moving to softball,” she notes. “If parents aren’t sure what to do, they can always reach out to me and I’m happy to walk them through the options so we can make the best decision for that girl.”

As the summer rec program has grown in recent years, Ator says they’ve been able to add an 18U girls softball team, and are considering moving to a fast-pitch softball league.

“We have a region meeting coming up, and there is a lot of interest in a girl’s fastpitched league. There is even a gal from Tioga who would be willing to come and help teach pitching to our girls and coaches, so we’ll see what comes of it. The change might not happen until next year, but we’re excited to start the conversation.”

While summer rec offers 18U girls the opportunity for play, 18U boys, on the other hand, transition out of the Midget program to a local Babe Ruth/Legion team. “Our goal is to have a solid program that focuses on developing players' basic foundational skills in their younger years, and hopefully that will result in the players and teams finding more success as they transition into the higher levels of play. The high school also now has boys baseball and girls softball, so hopefully what we’re doing every summer makes a positive impact on those teams as well.”

Ator doesn’t just stay busy with routine game scheduling and team rosters, she also helps coordinate, hire, and pay coaches and umpires, something the program is still in need of for the upcoming summer. “We still have several coaching positions open and we’re always looking for umpires,” notes Kristen. “You don’t need to have any special training, just a heart for kids and a little experience with baseball or softball.”

As in past summers, Kristen hopes to host at least one tournament in Crosby. “It really brings the community together,” notes Ator. “There are so many who step up to volunteer as team hosts, or even as part of the clean-up crew. Local food trailers set-up, and many of the businesses sponsor free water and snacks, in addition to the dollars they donate back to the program.” Local residents, she says, also come out just to support the kids. “Many come to get something to eat, catch a couple games and visit with neigh- bors. It’s a great time for everyone.”

“I like to encourage parents who aren’t sure about summer rec to ‘just try it,’” shares Ator. “Not only do the kids get the opportunity to get active and be outside, they get to spend time with friends developing not just physical skills, but social skills – teamwork, problem-solving, showing up on time, responsibility, leadership. Those life-long lessons, developing good character, knowing that everyone matters and every- one contributes to the good of the team are take-aways that will go with them forever.”

Players must be registered by May 1st – more information on registration and an early bird discount can be found on the Crosby Park District’s Facebook page. For more information on teams, or if interested in coaching or serving as an umpire, please contact Kristen Ator at 701-897-1982 or email her at kristen.c.ator@ gmail.com.