Spring is heralded by longer days, warmer weather, and the return of one of America’s most beloved sports—baseball. Centralia Little League is entirely comprised of volunteers and players who love the sport of baseball for baseball’s sake. And for Kyle Tomes, the current president for Centralia Little League, baseball is all about love of the game and bringing the community together.
Kyle participated in Centralia Little League from t-ball through the Babe Ruth league. Just about the only time he didn’t play baseball was in high school. “I had to choose between soccer and baseball because the seasons were at the same time. What can I say? I love soccer too,” Kyle shares.
Kyle was named the 2006 athlete of the year at Centralia High School. Even though Kyle didn’t have time to play baseball in high school, that didn’t stop him from playing off season Senior Legion and in the U.S. Marine Corps. Since returning to Centralia, Kyle has coached and volunteered with little league and youth wresting.
For Kyle, baseball and little league is a pretty perfect way to bring kids, families, and the community together. Kyle’s coaching emphasis is building teamwork, developing skill, and doing everything with a positive attitude. “I don’t allow negativity. We are positive and we are here to build up the kids,” Kyle says.
“You have to build them up and encourage them. We don’t want to discourage kids from wanting to play the game,” Kyle shares. All of this speaks to the heart of the Little League Baseball motto—“Character, Courage, Loyalty.”
For Kyle, his dad has been a big inspiration for his coaching technique. “My dad was always there to help us however he could. He was at every practice, at every game. He cared about the kids.” When he’s coaching, one of Kyle’s top priorities is to help develop his players’ skills.
“I want to make sure they’re taught the fundamentals properly so they don’t get injured later on down the road.” That is one reason why Kyle is passionate about coaching the younger players. “Also, seeing them later and how they’ve developed as players is always fun. The greatest part is knowing that you’ve had an impact,” Kyle says.
One of the most powerful aspects of the league are the volunteers who give back by coaching. “Growing up, we had all these coaches who could teach us, and that’s what I want for these kids,” Kyle shares. “I’m not just here to teach them how to play baseball, but also how to be young men.”
March 26 is opening day for the 2016 season. The minor league and major league teams get to play a few games against Chehalis Little League over the course of their season. And as anybody who has been around the area knows, Centralia and Chehalis are lifelong rivals. The rivalry between the two cities and the little league games are a definite positive. Kyle explains, “Rivalries are fun. It keeps the atmosphere competitive and helps develop the kids to handle competition. They make each other better players and they learn that you can’t win them all.”
It should be noted that when it comes to little league, it’s not just for the kids. Kyle explains, “I’d like to promote Centralia Little League to bring the community together. I want to see more kids get into it and build interest. I’d like to see the community come out to games and be a part of this too.”
Kyle credits Centralia Little League’s success to the current board and to all the people who join together to make the season possible. “I wanted to be the league president because I want to see this program grow. I want to draw in everyone—kids who want to play, bring in more fans to see the games, and get kids involved with community service.”
And Kyle says that with the board and volunteers they have, Centralia Little League is on the right track. He shares, “The entire board does a lot of work together to make sure the league happens.” But because the entire league is volunteer based, they are always looking for more help. “We are always looking for volunteers who want to coach,” Kyle says. The league also needs volunteers for field maintenance, helping to sell concessions and as Kyle says, “The more people to help, the better.”
When all is said and done, Centralia Little League is about more than just the sport of baseball. Little League is a way to bring the community together through one of America’s favorite past times. As Kyle says and hopes, every year there will be new kids looking to learn how to play and how to love the game of baseball.
