They don't keep track of records or stats, but the Kosciusko County Pee Wee Football League does bring out the numbers.
In celebrating its 25th season, the league is as strong as ever."We average between 200 and 300 kids a year," board member Darlene Eherenman. "It's seldom that we get less than 200."
The players fill out eight teams for the National League and another eight for the American League, but as late August approaches, the numbers increase.
"Once school starts, the kids start talking about it and the numbers go up," Eherenman said.
Prior to Monday's practice at Harrison Elementary, volunteers were still enrolling players, with long lines forming for future football players.
The number of kids may stay pretty consistent, but according to KCPWFL president Tim Taylor, there is a difference in today's kids as opposed to those in previous years.
"I don't know what it is, but the kids seem smaller," he said. "The kids used to be nearly 200 pounds."
And for kids between 8 and 12 years of age, 200 pounds is a pretty good-sized kid.
Former KCPWFL players will get a chance to see this year's crop at Saturday's annual jamboree at Lakeview Middle School at noon.
Along with all the current players being introduced, the day will also honor the league's 25th anniversary and all the people that have contributed to it.
"We're holding an open invitation for former coaches, board members and players to join us at Lakeview," Taylor said.
Admission for the jamboree will only be a canned food item, which will be donated to Combined Community Services.
"Anyone from the first 25 years of the league is more than welcome to come out," Taylor said.
And for those that attend, they may be able to watch future high school stars.
"It's a great learning league," Eherenman said. "Emphasis isn't on win-win. It's on sportsmanship and learning the basics of the game. We also want the kids to see what it takes to be a team leader."
Teaching those traits are people who just have a love for the game.
"All the coaches are volunteers and all the board members are volunteers," Eherenman said.
Along with working on the board, Eherenman also serves as an EMT, ensuring there's always emergency personnel around in case of injuries.
Outside of practices at Harrison Elementary on Mondays and Thursdays, the EMTs' first test for the season comes at Saturday's jamboree, followed by the league's first games on Sept. 12.
Following eight games, the league wraps up on Oct. 24, when the Sixth Grade Classic takes place under the lights at Lakeview.
"It's just a fun thing we do for the kids," Taylor said of the night game between the sixth grade players. "It's a way to ease them into the middle school game, and get them feeling good about themselves."
