Part I of a submission by Billy Crawford

On Monday night, April 15, 1957, a group of Vernon Parish leaders met in the Vernon Parish
Courthouse to discuss organizing a summer baseball program for the boys of Leesville.
 
The group’s invited guest speaker was Grady Kelly, Sheriff of Rapides Parish. The Sheriff shared how
much their summer baseball program meant to the youth of Rapides Parish and urged the people of
Vernon Parish to cooperate in the organization a summer league play. “It is most important,” stated
Kelly, “that we keep our youth occupied during the summer months. You must put them to play ball on
lighted fields and off the streets and highways at night.”
 
Kelly shared that they had installed eleven lighted baseball fields in Rapides Parish by using $10,000 out
of his salary fund.
“That is the best investment in law enforcement I ever made,” said Kelly.
 
This group of leaders immediately went to work. They formed a non-profit corporation to promote,
encourage, and supervise a wholesome summer program. It was named the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s
Youth Association. Next, using the Rapides Parish Association as a model, they formed two baseball
leagues.
 
The Little Boys League would consist of six teams with players from 9 through 12 years old attending
Leesville schools. Also, Anacoco and Hornbeck would each form one Little Boys team.
 
The second league would be named the Dixie Boys League, with players from ages 13 and 14. This
league was composed of four Leesville teams together with one from Anacoco and one from Hornbeck.
 
A fund-raising campaign was launched for every citizen will be given the opportunity to take
membership for $2.00 and thus help promote summer baseball for our youth.
 
The first Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Youth Association Officers were:
Earl L. Eagles, president
Bert Adams, vice-president
Joe H. Steele, treasurer
Directors: Sheriff John O. Craft, District Attorney Peter S. Anderson, Mayor R.J. Fertitta, C.C. Woods,
W.W. Burlison, John L. Bagents, and Ward 1 School Board Member T.L. Berry
 
Ted Paris was elected to the position of Commissioner of the Association.
 
The opening of league play was held on Saturday night, June 1, 1957, at the new ballpark on Third
Street, south of the KCS Depot.
 
Officers of the Little Boys Baseball League were:
Earl L. Eagles, president
Dr. E.H. Byrd, vice-president
Arthur Williams, secretary-treasurer
Directors: Sam J. Fertitta, Lyons Palmer, Jack Schwartz, Charles L. Davis
 

Officers of the Dixie Boys League were:
R. L. “Babe” Winfree, president
Dr. Joe Broyles, vice-president
John Malcolm Smart, secretary-treasurer
Directors: C.A. Hughes, Dr. E.M. Shaw, C.C. Daubs