The department for recreation sets ambitious goals to get young people to play
By Rich Thomaselli
HVSR employees
The city of Poughkeepsie has for years suffered from declining numbers of young people participating in youth baseball and softball.
Now Brian Laffin and Dave Brown are challenging society to change all that.
Laffin, the former Poughkeepsie high school basketball coach for boys who run the city’s recreation department in addition to his teaching position, and Brown, president of the Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth League, will fill rosters and watch children fill the city’s fields.
The City of Poughkeepsie Department of Recreation is looking for baseball and softball players ages 4-16 to compete this spring in Cal Ripken / Babe Ruth.
“I challenge our society to step up and sign up,” Laffin said. “I would like to see at least 100 children out on the ball fields this spring. Every child needs to be out, away from the screen and have fun. ”
Laffin previously led the ‘Every Kid Plays’ initiative last year to distribute basketballs to urban youth. He said he sees it as a springboard for other sporting opportunities.
“Baseball and softball have a rich tradition in the town of Poughkeepsie,” said Laflfin. “Time to build it up and get the kids playing ball.”
Laffin and Brown hope to get 100 City of Poughkeepsie boys and girls to sign up by February 15, as well as parents and volunteers to mobilize the effort. Ball fields will be used throughout the city. There will be free baseball and softball clinics for teams throughout the spring and summer
Contact Laffin at 845-451-4100.
