This post was updated on Thursday, Oct. 3.
PHILIPSBURG — After more than 20 years of absence in Osceola Mills Borough, the borough will have its own independent youth baseball team.
In the early 2000’s Philipsburg and Osceola Mills came together to form what is currently the Philipsburg-Osceola Little League. This combined players from both areas into one squad.
With the creation of the Osceola Baseball Association players from both areas will have a better chance of getting to play.
“Our area has a tremendous amount of talent,” OBA President Tim Blake said. “It felt like it was time for baseball to come back to Osceola for those players and our community. It’s our hope this will grow their love of the game and bring Osceola Mills one more thing to be proud of.”
The OBA started its season with the inaugural Osceola Baseball Association’s Fall Classic, held Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28. The tournament saw Bald Eagle Fall 11U compete against the OBA.
In addition to the new Osceola Baseball Association, the Philipsburg-Osceola Little League team will continue to play. Now local athletes will have the opportunity to minimize travel needs and stay close to home.
“Right now, we’re not here to replace that Little League-sanctioned option for our local players,” said Blake. “What we are here to do, however, is to make sure our local youth have a place to play that they can call home beyond the traditional Little League season. So many of our players have had to travel to neighboring towns and beyond, with parents spending a considerable amount of money for them to participate. We wanted to create something different and to give our kids a chance to participate without all of these external factors.”
