GBA Mission Statement:
The Glencoe Baseball Association’s (GBA’s) primary Mission is to provide an environment for Glencoe youth to have an enjoyable, safe, team-oriented, and community based experience while learning and playing the game of baseball. At the same time, the GBA is committed to teaching our youth the life lessons of good sportsmanship and teamwork. Through the game of baseball, the GBA intends to help youth to set and work towards common goals and to build character, leadership ability, and confidence.
About the GBA
The Glencoe Baseball Association (GBA) was formed in the early 1980s as a 501(c) (3), non – profit Corporation. The purpose of the GBA is to establish, maintain, and promote youth baseball activities for our Community. We oversee Spring, Summer and Fall Baseball Programs as an affiliate of the Glencoe Park District. The primary focus of the GBA is children in Kindergarten through 8th grades. In 2013, the GBA started a Girls Softball program for girls in grades K through 4.
The GBA is comprised of an all volunteer and active Board of Directors. The GBA administers its baseball activities through the Board and a Committee structure by organizing and arranging the teams, coaches, umpires, schedules, tournaments, player clinics, and playing rules, and by providing game equipment and player uniforms.
Our programs are “community driven” and are open to all boys and girls who want to play baseball and softball. Typically we have between 200 – 300 participants in our programs over the course of a year. We will always work to find a place for a child that wants to play ball. In fact, we have a “no cut” policy for our Spring and Fall House Leagues. We also offer “baseball scholarships” for those families in need of financial assistance. Our core belief is that EVERYONE PLAYS!!
GBA Philosophy
The Glencoe Baseball Association (GBA) believes in the fundamental philosophy of putting “Athletes First, Winning Second.” This is the motto of the American Sports Education Program (ASEP), and it means this: every decision made and every behavior displayed on the field should be based first on what is judged best for the athletes, and second on what may improve the athlete’s or team’s chances of winning. In the final analysis, what’s important is not how many games are won, but how many young people are helped to become winners in life.
Having “Athletes First, Winning Second” as a base philosophy does not mean that winning is unimportant. The immediate short-term objective of any game is to win. Striving to win within the rules of the game should be the objective of every athlete and coach. Striving to win is essential to enjoyable competition. We believe that it is the pursuit of the victory, the dream of achieving the goal more than the goal itself that yields the joy of sports.
GBA Board of Directors
The Glencoe Baseball Association (GBA) is affiliated with the Glencoe Park District. The GBA is guided by an active and all volunteer Board of Directors. The GBA administers its baseball activities through the Board and a Committee structure by organizing and arranging the teams, coaches, umpires, tournaments, player clinics, and playing rules, and by providing game equipment and player uniforms.
The Board: Tim Holbrook (Vice Chair, Governance Committee), Ken Kravenas (Secretary, Baseball Operations), Matt Hoenes (Treasurer, Finance Committee), Traci Hill (Board of Directors, Softball Operations), Mary Kahn (Communications & Marketing), Danny Hest (Board of Directors)