After receiving multiple complaints from parents/guardians, the Eureka Recreation Commission (ERC) approved the adoption of United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) rules for the 2025 recreational season for baseball and softball. The decision came during their routine monthly meeting, which was held on Wednesday, July 31 at the ERC garage.
The ERC will enforce the rules for specific divisions using USSSA age-based rules. It was noted that the ponytail division will be following 10C rules. Despite having older youth playing in the division, the 10C USSSA rules were created for competitive softball and ERC members felt with fourth-seventh graders playing in the same division, 10C would be the best option. Most notably due to the ball size as members felt fourth graders would have a difficult time pitching/throwing a 12-inch ball. Major boys will follow 10A USSSA baseball rules. Other division-specific rules were not directly specified; however, in their motion the ERC noted slight modifications may be adopted if needed. It was also noted that a new rule for all leagues will be that the only person to discuss calls/rules at the games will be head coaches. After noting that someone will be upset no matter what, the ERC noted that the leagues in question are recreational and should be more about allowing all community youth to have the opportunity to play the game.
It was also noted that other area teams might be joining the ERC next summer. With football season fast approaching, Eureka resident Matt Burtin discussed the upcoming travel tackle season for fifth and sixth grade students. Burtin, who assisted with coaching last year, plans to serve as a coach for the division. ERC Director Derek Larcom stated that the league currently has nine-teams: Altamont, Cherryvale, Erie, Eureka, Fredonia, Howard, Humboldt, Neodesha and Sedan.
The teams will be divided into two divisions and have a single week of championship play at the end of the season.
Larcom also noted that sign-ups are looking at being electronic; however, that option hasn’t yet been finalized. Parents should expect to see sign-ups for fall activities as early as enrollment through the start of school, as practice can be held beginning Aug. 17 for the fifth and sixth grade division.
With co-ed softball returning to Eureka later this month, a discussion regarding rules and equipment was held. The league will follow USSSA slow pitch rules, utilizing provided wood bats and play on Sunday afternoons this fall. The teams will consist of 10 people (with at least three being females). The entry is a minimum donation to the ERC of $250 per team. ERC President Austin Evenson shared that they currently have seven teams signed up. The league is expected to last six weeks with pool play games and conclude with a single elimination tournament. The ERC will provide the balls and bats for the games, with plans of looking into different vendors in the coming months. Evenson shared that four wood bats and a case of softballs had been donated with the ERC looking to purchase a few more of each. Batters will start with a 1-1 count and be allowed one foul per at bat.
A coach’s meeting will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. at the ERC garage with league play beginning Aug. 25. (There will not be games played on Sunday, Sept. 1, due to the Labor Day holiday.) For more information, contact Leonard Moore at 316-295-9103.
The board approved: the June meeting minutes and the transaction report as presented.
ERC member Isaac Boone was absent.
The next scheduled meeting for the ERC is Wednesday, Aug. 28.
