How to join the Kansas City Youth Sports Teams Leagues

So your child has been interested in sports lately and wants to play as a team. Where to start?

Fortunately, there are plenty of leagues and teams waiting for your entry in the Kansas City area, whatever sport (s) your child is interested in.

Many sports are in full swing, so find out how your child can get involved in several popular sports.

BASEBALL

One of the most comprehensive leagues in the region is operated by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City. The league opened a complex in 2018 in combination with the Kansas City Christian School that features five lighted fields, three of which are grassed. Registration opened earlier this month for the Fall J Baseball League, whose games begin in August and end in October for children aged K-10 and 11.

However, there is a cost associated with joining J Baseball (between $ 140 and $ 160). A more cost-effective option is to partner with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, which offers baseball leagues for kids in Kindergarten to Grade 7 throughout the summer.

For example, the Atchison Family YMCA is offering a cost of $ 25 for members and $ 35 for non-members for its T-ball league for preschoolers to grade one.

SOFT BALL

The 3 & 2 Baseball Club recently launched a fastpitch softball league. The age levels offered range from Grades 1 to 8, and coaches can register their teams online.

Several cities and jurisdictions in the area, including Liberty and Blue Valley Recreation (Overland Park), also have leagues.

The Northland Sports Alliance offers many sports, including softball leagues held during the summer and fall months. Registration for the fall period begins on July 1 and the organization notes on its website that it “Prides itself on never refusing a child, regardless of his inability to pay registration fees or a child’s lack of athletic ability, and is committed to keeping this component in place.”

FOOTBALL

Heartland Soccer Association in Overland Park is the nation’s largest soccer league and tournament host, with registrations open for girls and boys in the Under 9 to Under 19 leagues.

Games are held in the Kansas City area at Overland Park Football Complex, Swope Football Village, Compass Minerals Sports Fields, and Olathe Football Complex, and regional tournaments are also held against teams from other states. and country.

Sporting Kansas City also runs a comprehensive youth football program, hosting league games in the fall and spring. SKC Youth Coaches run camps throughout the year throughout the region for children aged 2-18. For more information on Sporting KC’s youth soccer programs, contact Brennan Williams at bwilliams@sportingkc.com.

Kansas Youth Soccer also has a full list of recreation clubs on the Kansas side of the metro listed on its website.

SOCCER

If you’re hoping your kid becomes the next Patrick Mahomes, selecting Missouri Wolverines for their development may not be a bad choice. The youth football organization has produced 76 college football players – 21 at the Division I level – since the start of 1999. The Wolverines offer flag football before grade two, then tackle football through in the eighth grade.

The North Suburban Youth Football League, meanwhile, is another solid choice with a pedigree under its belt – all of its coaches must attend an annual training clinic, and more than half of the league’s coaches are at least 10 years old. years of experience. The NSYFL offers three flag divisions (Kindergarten to Grade 2) and five tackling divisions (Grades 3 through 7 and 8), with teams competing from the Kansas City Subway to Raytown to Olathe and Lee’s Summit.

Registration is available for the fall season at a cost of $ 90 for the flag and $ 110 for tackle football.

BASKETBALL

The Greater Kansas City Jewish Community Center offers a youth basketball league in addition to its big baseball operation, running leagues on three levels, Kindergarten through Grade 7 for members and non-members. For 3 year olds in pre-kindergarten there is a “FUN-atics” class where those who are not old enough to play in a league can learn the basics of the game.

If you already have a team together, the KC Premiere League holds competitions throughout the summer, fall and winter for girls (grades 3 to 10) and boys (of Grades 3 to 8) as the largest provider of youth basketball programs in Kansas City.

For the more highly skilled players, there are also many Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams in the region. Many have performed on the national stage, like MoKan Basketball and Legends, play all year round and host tryouts.

VOLLEYBALL

There is no shortage of quality volleyball clubs on the KC metro.

Mid-America Volleyball (also known as MAVS KC) is a club that features girls ‘and boys’ teams across the region, while KC Premiere – along with basketball – also hosts volleyball teams. KC Power, for the elite of the elite, won national championships in the sport.

Not quite ready for your child to play competitively yet? There are also options for this purpose. Kansas City Centerline offers youth volleyball camps and lessons – both on the court and on the beach – with registration for a “Back to School” camp in August.

Heart of America volleyball offers numerous camps, leagues, and clinics, while players without teams can join clubs with open slots through a feature on the organization’s website.