North Hays Optimist

Runkle, who splits her time between her job as an accountant and her responsibilities as NHO president, began volunteering with the organization when Michael started playing wee ball—tee ball for children ages 3–4.

The organization is wrapping up its All Star league and will kick off its fall season in mid-August.

For Runkle and the other volunteers, a typical Friday night consists of barbecuing at the complex, also known as "The Swamp," and fixing up the facility for the next day's games. The benefits for the athletes are well worth the late nights, Runkle said.

"Not only do these boys play out here together, they're friends," she said. "These are lifelong friendships. Those are the things you want to remember when you're older."

Runkle is quick to extol the benefits of competitive sports. Lessons in teamwork and friendship abound, Runkle said, but she also has skin in the game, so to speak.

Her son Michael has participated in NHO sports since he was 3, starting with wee ball and working his way up to baseball where his father now coaches him. Bryson, a wee ball player, is following in the footsteps of his brother as well as his father, who played baseball for Crockett High School in Austin.

"It's about sportsmanship," Brian said. "It's more than just what you come out here to do. There's structure to things. There are rules you have to abide by in the game just like you do at school.

"You learn that it doesn't always go your way. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you make mistakes, but it's about how you rebound from that."

Registration for NHO's athletics range from $60 per player for wee ball and up to $150 per player for football, but Runkle said the organization, which funds most of its activities through fundraisers and corporate sponsorships, is always willing to work with families.

"We wanted this to be a place where [the kids] hang out," Runkle said. "We will never turn a kid away because of [a lack of] money."

North Hays Optimist, 2880 Goforth Road, Kyle, https://nhogators.com