Interested in Sponsoring a team for the 2009 season? Click here for a sponsor registration form.

We have been able to retreive our 2006 Team photos. They were destroyed from the break in at the concession stand during the 2006 season. Acri Photo supplied us with a set of digital photos. We also have the 2007 photos on the photo page now. Please go and see your team photos .

There will be a celebration this year in the Braceville/Leavittsburg community.  In 2009, the Labrae Athletic Club will mark its' 50th Anniversary of youth baseball/softball for area children; and this summer, every child registered in the Labrae school system will be eligible to play ball for free.  All sign-up fees are guaranteed to be paid so every child who wants to play this 50th Anniversary season is able to.

Rusty Sewell, a former LAC officer, and some of the other past members, have been reflecting on the goals of the charter members, the incredible Labrae family community, and the devastating economic conditions.  Rusty decided the time had come for one of the founding members dreams to come true; that every kid could play for free at least once.  He has been soliciting from some of the charter members to provide this opportunity, but Mr. Sewell is personally guaranteeing that the registration fees will be paid. 

He said LAC gave him his first job as an umpire when he was 16.  He continued working every summer throughout college.  When his own children were old enough to play ball, he became involved again.  He was an officer for 26 years and now serves as one of the Land Trustees over Banks Park where the Labrae Sports Complex houses the baseball fields for LAC and the soccer fields for the Labrae Youth Soccer Association. 

Rusty is proud to be a part of the caring, giving, compassionate,  Braceville/Leavittsburg community, and wants to show what it has meant to him.  Over the years many of the coaches who had volunteered countless hours at the ball fields with the kids, didn't even have children of their own playing.  He has such a profound appreciation for their dedication and generosity.  This gesture is a tribute to them and what he learned from them.  This is his way of "paying forward" what the parents, coaches, sponsors, officers and other volunteers have done to keep the youth baseball/softball program in full swing for 50 years.  This is his way of thanking the good people who have supported the children of the community, and his way of honoring, not only the founding members dream, but also his own parents and the way he was raised.

The 50th Anniversary Season presented the perfect opportunity to offer free registration, and in lieu of the terrible economic crisis, the timing could not be better.  Our area has been hit so hard by job-loss and lay-off, Rusty hopes this will ease the financial burden for some parents whose children would otherwise be unable to play.  There will also be spikes, gloves, and bats, recycled from former players, available on a first come first served basis.  He would like to see every child who wants to play get a chance.

He has gained so much in his life from being a part of such a wonderful close-knit community, he wants to show his love and enthusiasm for it.  Rusty welcomes anyone who shares these sentiments to join his efforts in providing free registration for any Labrae youth who wishes to play baseball or softball.  LAC will also be initiating a Special Needs Baseball Team this year that holds no practices, just plays games.  He is excited about this 50th Anniversary Season and thankful to all who have made 50 successful years possible.

Sign-Ups at Bascom School:

Saturday, January 24, 2009     9am-12 Noon

Saturday, February 7,2009       9am-12 Noon