About the program
Founded in 1987, the organization has about 800-900 players split amongst 60 coed teams and hosts a fall and spring playing season each year, Hildebrand said. Volunteer coaches, parents and community members work during each season—and beyond—spending their free time teaching children baseball, hosting practices and organizing games.
Hildebrand and Vice President Mike Wilson both played baseball growing up and then watched their children play baseball at HABA. Many of the organization’s board members are former coaches or players, Hildebrand said.
“Baseball is my passion,” he said. “It was my happy place. ... Whether I was having rough days at my normal job, I would come here and then it'd just take it away. ... It's one of those things. When you love something, you pursue it.”
What’s special about it?
Organization leaders work hard to keep enrollment costs down for all HABA players, Hildebrand said.
“Not all the kids in the area ... [have] the ability to go play select travel ball, or their parents can’t afford it, and this is just a much more affordable way of kids being able to play baseball ... [and] come out here with their friends and have a good time,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of fun out here. We spend more time out here sometimes than we do with our own families.”
Additionally, HABA created the Austin Rieniets Memorial League in 2006 to give youths age 5 and older with physical or intellectual disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. Local high school students mentor the players, and organization leaders said they hope to continue to expand this program so they can split the teams according to age.
Get involved
To continue serving the community, HABA leaders said they hope to continue to spread awareness about their organization. Monetary and equipment donations as well as volunteer coaches are appreciated, Hildebrand said.
“We're just trying to reach out to as many people to let them know that we're here as possible, to give as many kids as we can an opportunity to come out here and just have fun, to get off video games and get outside and get some exercise,” Wilson said.
- Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex, 2310 Atascocita Road, Humble (physical location); PO Box 3936 Humble, TX 77347 (mailing address)
- www.humblebaseball.com
