Hays Recreation

Service area: Hays and surrounding Ellis County; out-of-district participants accepted with fee

About this league

The Hays Recreation Commission provides quality youth sports programming with responsible leaders so all youth have the opportunity to grow and learn regardless of skill level. It is not positioned as a training ground for elite or college athletes but focuses on fun, lifetime leisure skills, and participation. Online registration and program book details are available; coaches meetings and practice schedules are published seasonally.

Competition & play

Recreational format with volunteer coaches selecting practice times; games scheduled by the Commission during the week. Divisions include machine pitch, modified pitch, and player pitch depending on age. Rules PDFs are published for baseball and softball.

Registration & how to join

Online registration via Hays Rec webtrac portal. Tee Ball entry deadline typically mid-to-late April (e.g. April 22 for 2026); fees due at enrollment. Early registration recommended to secure placement and allow facility/coach planning. Out-of-district fee $5 per individual per sport.

Fields & facilities

Primary games and many practices at Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex (eight artificial-turf baseball/softball fields with lights available for rent). Additional practice and game fields include Glassman (East/Middle/West), Speier (East/Middle/West), Aubel-Bickle (Northwest/Southwest/Southeast), and Roosevelt (Enright/West). Indoor batting cage available for rent at the Rec Center.

Community

Volunteer coaches, scorekeepers, and officials are essential. Opening Day includes team introductions, awards, inflatables, and community celebration. The Commission also maintains partnerships for facility use with city parks and school district.

Philosophy & mission

Provide quality programming with responsible leaders so youth grow and learn; opportunity for participation for all regardless of skill or ability; fun learning experience and lifetime leisure skills.

Player development

Tee Ball focuses on correct techniques for fielding, throwing, hitting, and base running in a learning atmosphere. Older divisions build on fundamentals with machine or player pitch.

Coaching

Volunteer coaches conduct practices at times they choose; coaches meetings held before season. Coaching applications and background checks handled through the Commission.

Program details

Official name

Hays Recreation

Affiliation

Municipal recreation

Affiliation notes

Hays Recreation Commission (joint city/USD 489)

Age divisions

Tee Ball (4-5 as of May 1), 7U baseball/softball, 9U, 12U, 15U; recreational baseball also listed as 6-7 machine pitch, 8-9 modified pitch, 10-12 player pitch, 13-15 player pitch

Season

2026 season practices start week of May 4, games week of May 25; Opening Day events at Bickle-Schmidt; schedules posted for Glassman, Speier, Aubel-Bickle, Roosevelt fields

Season months

May – July

League format

Recreational; teams formed/balanced by Commission software; volunteer coaches

Game format

Weekday games; exact nights set after registration deadline; practice twice weekly typical for Tee Ball

Fees

Tee Ball $25; recreational baseball/softball typically $30 (plus possible late fee); out-of-district $5 extra

Registration timing

Tee Ball around April 22 for 2026 season; other divisions similar spring deadlines; register early to avoid cancellation for low enrollment

Fields & facilities

Primary field / complex

Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex

Other fields

Glassman East/Middle/West, Speier East/Middle/West, Aubel-Bickle Northwest/Southwest/Southeast, Roosevelt Enright/West [[park_tbd:middle]] [[park_tbd:west]] [[park_tbd:speier east]] [[park_tbd:aubel bickle northwest]] [[park_tbd:southwest]] [[park_tbd:southeast]] [[park_tbd:roosevelt enright]] [[park_tbd:8 turf]] [[park_tbd:glassman]] [[park_tbd:speier]] [[park_tbd:roosevelt indoor cage at center]] [[park_tbd:glassman east]]

Facilities notes

Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex (primary, 8 turf fields); Aubel-Bickle Optimist Park fields; Glassman fields; Speier fields; Roosevelt fields. Indoor cage at Rec Center.