Batter Up: New season starts Published April 16, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Chad Warren 2d Bomb Wing Public Affiars BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Athletes and family members filled the Barksdale Youth Center fields April 13 for the official kick-off of the 2010 youth baseball season. This year, the league has more than 80 participants divided into four coach pitch and four tee ball teams. The league is open to any child whose guardian has a valid military identification. Though this may be the first time many of the participants have participated in an organized sport, this is not the first season the youth center has hosted the league. Every spring, personnel from all around base volunteer to coach the young athletes. "To see [the children] improve is a tremendous joy," says Tech. Sgt. Arthur Joseph, 2d Maintenance Squadron assistant first sergeant. "It is by far the greatest thing about coaching the kids." Sergeant Joseph has been coaching at various bases since 1991, and believes programs such as youth baseball are beneficial to the development of children. "It instills confidence." said Sergeant Joseph. "Now when [the children] face a challenge, they won't feel defeated." To ensure the best and safest experience possible for the athletes, all coaches are certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. In addition, they are required to receive annual first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. In this electronic age of video games and computers, children have fewer opportunities for face-to-face interaction with their peers, Staff Sgt. Corina Jacobsen, 2d Medical Operations Squadron, believes the league is an excellent way for her children to strengthen their friendships with other members of the youth center's after- school- care program. Sergeant Jacobsen's son Austin, 9, and daughter Sydney, 8, play on the same team in the league. "The majority of the kids are from the after school care program, so [my children] know them," says Sergeant Jacobsen. "To me that is better, because it makes them feel more comfortable." For more information about youth programs, contact the Barksdale Youth Center at 456-3448.