Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

Baseball and softball games at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park were part of the Opening Day festivities for Niwot Youth Sports on Saturday May 5. The program, which has roots back to the Left Hand Men’s Club in 1969, provides baseball and softball programs for children in the Niwot-Gunbarrel area. According to Executive Director Pat Longseth, over 300 boys and girls are signed up for the baseball program, and approximately 120 girls are playing softball. .

Longseth is himself a former player in the program back in the 1980’s when his father, Larry Longseth, was the equipment manager. Tom Moore is president of the organization, which now offers soccer and football programs for area youth, in addition to baseball, softball and basketball. Glenn Wager is the Softball Director with teams for girls ages 4-18, while Tim Rudden serves as Baseball Director, with teams for ages 4-14.

Longseth, Moore, Wager, Rudden and other volunteers are working on plans for improvements to the ballfield at Left Hand Valley Grange Park, which will include roofs on the dugouts and a storage shed. Plans for Hangge Fields at Monarch Park include a major construction project, which includes a building for storage and concessions.  Fundraising efforts are underway for the projects, which are planned for after the 2018 season.

Photos Tom Moore

A runner stands at first base as the coach of the team in the field positions his players in a coach-pitch game at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park as part of Niwot Youth Sports Opening Day festivities May 5.