Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
When Fred Boggs donated the land for the little league fields in Warsaw 25 years ago, he probably never would have imagined how successful the fields would become. Now, 25 years after the little league project began, the Boggs Industrial Park Little League Complex plays host to a tournament that attracts teams from southern Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
"Without Freddie, we wouldn't even be here," said Jim Breading, the tournament director. "It started about 25 years ago when Fred donated the original land for four fields. About seven years ago, he donated the land for the practice fields, and the parking lot was donated by his estate. Now we have eight fields, four game and four practice, and a nice parking lot."
And the Warsaw Little League has put the complex to good use.
This year, 53 teams are competing in the Eighth Annual Warsaw Invitational Baseball Tournament.
"The tournament started because we had such nice fields, and we hated to see them stay empty," said Jackalyn Barrett, tournament secretary. "My big reason was that I hated seeing kids go door-to-door to raise money for the league. This tournament was a way to help raise money while eliminating that."
The double-elimination tournament is divided into four divisions (16 and under, 14 and under, 12 and under, and 10 and under), and it began July 28 and will continue through Monday night. Doubleheaders are played on the weekends, and two games are played each night during the week. The event will finish with the championship games in each division Monday evening.
"On Saturday, the first game will start at 9 a.m., and the last game will start at 9 p.m.," said Breading. "Then on Sunday, the games will start up again at 1 p.m., and the last game will begin at 8:30 p.m. But we're there until we close the park around midnight or 1 a.m. It's a lot of hard work, but it's worth it."
That hard work pays off. This year's 53 teams make up the largest group ever in the tournament. Fourteen teams are in each of the the 14 and under, 12 and under, and 10 and under brackets, while 11 teams are playing in the 16 and under division.
"This is our biggest turnout ever," said Breading. "We had to shut (signup) so we could do the brackets.
"We have teams that call us in late January to sign up. Teams from Ohio and Michigan have come to the tournament. We also have teams from as far south as Noblesville and Kokomo that sign up. One little league team even forfeited their district all-star game to come play here."
However, the tournament would probably not be as successful without lots of help from area sevice groups. Throughout the tournament, the Morning Optimists, Noon Optimists, Gold Wings, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus and Elks Lodge have taken turns helping in whatever way possible. Will Shepherd's high school summer baseball team pitched in to help as well.
"We can't say enough about their help," said Barrett. "They definitely help make the tournament successful."
Sponsors are another big help for the tournament. The four game fields are available for sponsorship each year as well. They sell for $500 each, and the sponsor's name is mentioned several times during each game.
"This year, we sold all four fields," said Barrett. "Sprint, Rock Bottom Warehouse, Applebee's and Bambi's Roofing sponsored the fields this year, and that was a great help to the little league program."
All athletes participating in the tournament will receive a tournament pin, while the first- and second-place teams will take home medallions and plaques for their performances.
More information, along with photos that are updated almost daily can be found at the little league website, www.kconline/wll.
