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Lewisburg Area SD board approves middle school baseball for spring season
Summary
Board voted to add a middle school baseball program for spring, citing limited local feeder leagues, travel and cost concerns, and a plan for shared practice sites; motion passed unanimously.
The Lewisburg Area School District board voted to add a middle school baseball program for the coming spring, approving a recommendation from a committee that studied demand, costs and logistics.
Board members approved the proposal after district staff and the committee described limited local feeder options (Babe Ruth/Legion) and said adding middle school baseball would create an additional spring sport opportunity for middle school boys and could help build a feeder pipeline into the high school program.
School staff described the committee’s process: an initial meeting on Sept. 9 that identified concerns about travel, missed instructional time and start-up costs; a follow-up meeting with John (proposal lead) and Athletic Director Greg Wetzel that explored tentative game scheduling in areas such as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; and a committee recommendation on Oct. 2 to move forward with a pilot program. To limit lost class time, staff proposed some Saturday doubleheaders and not starting practices before 4:00 p.m.; practice sites discussed included Smithfield Fairground and the high school field with district transportation to either site. East Buffalo Township indicated it would not charge the district for use of its field, staff said, reducing startup costs.
The board heard that community fundraising and donor support were expected to offset uniform and equipment costs. The board moved and approved the proposal without further amendment.
Motion and vote: The motion to approve middle school baseball was moved by Mrs. Krauss and seconded by Dr. Grant. The board conducted a roll-call vote (Mr. Heath — yes; Dr. Jablonski — yes; Mrs. Krauss — yes; Miss Lyons — yes; Mr. Fetzer — yes; Dr. Graham — yes; Dr. Grant — yes; Dr. Mattis — yes). The motion carried.
Implementation: District staff will work with the athletic director, volunteer coaches and community partners on scheduling, transportation logistics and fundraising to support the pilot spring season.
