NRHS Coach Archambault a strong supporter of town’s youth baseball
Published in the March 22, 2018 edition
NORTH READING — For all you baseball fans, the key is to believe the calendar … and not what your eyes may be seeing outside.
Spring is officially here, and soon enough we’ll be hearing the crack of the bat and the cries of “Play Ball.”
North Reading Little League is preparing for the upcoming season – clinics have been held, teams are being selected, and field cleanup is underway. You may even see a team or two practicing in a shoveled parking lot!
The good news is that for those who have yet to sign up, it’s not too late to play. NRLL is still accepting registrations for its Tee-Ball (ages 4-5), Instructional (ages 6-7), Farm (ages 7-8), and Big Diamond (ages 13-16) divisions.
Youngsters of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun. It doesn’t take more than one afternoon at Benevento Park, the Hood School, or Carey Park to gain an appreciation that baseball is deep-rooted in our town’s DNA.
“One of the first things I noticed when I came to North Reading was what an incredible baseball town this is,” said North Reading varsity baseball coach Eric Archambault. “That’s a huge testament to (former NRHS coach) Frank Carey as well as the numerous youth volunteers who put in countless hours for the players. The youth program in North Reading is incredibly strong and the future certainly looks bright.”
Archambault has seen that first-hand, often attending NRLL clinics to speak with younger players, attending games, and encouraging those at the high school level to participate.
“North Reading’s Big Diamond League is extremely well run and allows the kids in this town to play more baseball,” he said. “For those on our freshman and junior varsity teams, that translates into them getting more at-bats and more time in the field against quality competition. It really complements what we do.”
Those efforts come full circle when the North Reading High School baseball team holds its annual “Varsity Day.”
“One of the things that’s important to us is to connect the town’s youth program with our high school program,” Archambault said. “This year, on May 19, we will be holding our third annual ‘Varsity Day,’ when all of North Reading Little League is invited to Carey Park for a day of baseball fun with our varsity team. We are already looking forward to another great day!”
That synergy between the youth and high school programs is perhaps the best example of what has made North Reading baseball so successful through the years.
“We have an incredible baseball tradition in North Reading,” said NRLL president Eddie Madden. “And that holds true from our youngest levels through high school and even beyond – to the college and pro players who learned the game on our town fields.
“Yet North Reading Little League is about making sure that baseball is a game for everyone, and the first-time player – no matter his or her age – is as welcome in our program as the experienced one,” Madden added. “Our goal is to keep the tradition going.”
With that as a priority, Madden has supported innovative ways to make NRLL more attractive to players and families. In 2012, he helped found the Middlesex Big Diamond League, which brings together six area towns into a single league to provide for better competition. Starting last year, that multi-town concept was expanded to the Majors (ages 10-12). And on all levels, NRLL has implemented scheduling that allows youngsters the opportunity to play more than one sport in a given season.
“We’re constantly examining ways to improve our program,” Madden said. “Whether that’s been through better competition, smarter scheduling, or even limiting the number of players on younger teams so that the kids get more involved in the action, they’ve all been key to our success.”
Parents and players can learn more about NRLL and sign up for the spring season at www.nrll.org.