Mon December 2, 2024
Lake Forest Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the expansion of its sports programming with a comprehensive integration of baseball and softball for young athletes. This initiative builds upon the recent launch of the Junior Scouts travel baseball program and marks a new era for the community’s youth sports offerings.
Effective immediately, the existing Lake Forest Recreation Department (LFRD) girls’ softball program, including the Junior Scouts Travel Softball, will be integrated with the new LFRD and Lake Forest Baseball Association (LFBA) merger. The unified program, now known as Lake Forest Baseball & Softball, will cater to players from kindergarten through 8th grade and will be available to any avid baseball or softball player.
Premier Coaching and Development Guided by the professional LFRD staff, dedicated directors, and a volunteer advisory board of experienced baseball and softball experts, Lake Forest Baseball & Softball is committed to delivering top-quality coaching, personalized training, and comprehensive team development. The program offers developmental leagues that instill a foundational love for the game, as well as competitive travel teams that challenge players to excel. Year-round training will continue to enhance skill development at all levels.
New Team Structure Starting this season, teams formerly known as ‘house league’ will be rebranded as ‘White’ level teams. These teams may participate in internal play and will be part of the overall Lake Forest Baseball & Softball system. The established ‘Blue’ teams will remain the premier ‘A’ level travel teams, while ‘Gold’ teams will be the competitive ‘B’ level travel teams. The Junior Scouts branding will apply to both baseball and softball travel teams, ensuring consistent program identity.
Meet the Directors To support this expanded vision, Lake Forest Baseball & Softball is proud to welcome two new directors:
Madison (Madi) Johnson, Director of Softball
Madi is a recent graduate of Lakeland University with a degree in Exercise Science and a distinguished four-year collegiate softball career. Her leadership and coaching experience include professional play and coaching in Switzerland, where she participated in the European Cup and ran pitching clinics in Austria. Madi also founded The Little Helpers, a non-profit supporting homeless individuals and promoting environmental sustainability in Chicagoland.
Sean Carroll, Director of Baseball
Sean graduated from Carthage College with a double major in Business Management and Marketing, where he captained the D3 baseball team as a starting outfielder. With years of experience as a coach and Director of Baseball and Player Development for LFBA’s 13-15 age groups, Sean brings a philosophy centered on mental and physical preparedness, discipline, and hard work.
What’s Next? Registration for White teams (formerly ‘house league’) for baseball and softball will open on December 3, 2024, for the spring season starting in April. This includes preschool and kindergarten divisions. For more information or questions, please contact LFRD Athletics Program Manager Anthony Anaszewicz at anaszewa@cityoflakeforest.com.
Lake Forest Parks & Recreation looks forward to fostering a seamless transition and providing an exceptional baseball and softball experience to the community. GO SCOUTS!
