Mike Vukovcan With every passing day and with the weather finally showing shines of improving, we’re getting closer to the start of baseball season.
HC Morgan Singletary and the Hopewell HS baseball team are scheduled to open their season on March 10th when they travel to take on Peters Township.
That’s just 21 days away!!
While it’s not that close, the Hopewell Youth Baseball organization is also preparing for their 2026 season down at the Kane Road Complex.
Vikings Sports Now had the chance this week to catchup with the Hopewell Youth Baseball president Jon Lavia, who updated us on a number of subject matters.
The first thing that we’d like to mention is that registration is still open but will be closing on February 22nd for modified T-Ball thru Bronco (11–12-year-olds); February 28th for Colt and Pony league and that will be a hard deadline. Once registration closes it will be 100% closed because uniforms need to be ordered.
A&S Federal Credit Union are proud sponsors of Hopewell Boys and Girls High School, Junior High and Youth Sports.
With that in mind, VSN asked Lavia to update us on registration numbers and how each age level looks?
“Our numbers are pretty healthy at the modified T-Ball, Coach Pitch and Bronco (11/12U, but were always open to add,” said Lavia. “Our Minors (9/10U) is of the greatest need at this point. Anyone who is interested can register at http://www.hopewellyouthbaseball.com.
The Champions With Their Rings
Lavia and the Hopewell Youth Baseball board members are always trying to improve and add things to the league for the players and their players. This year, they’ve come up with something that’s a nice touch that will definitely help.
“This season, HYBBA is launching a Hopewell Give and Gear Program to help support local families whose children are interested in playing baseball but might not be able to afford the equipment,” said Lavia. “Our goal is to teach our players the value of service while making a positive impact locally.”
“Hopewell Give and Gear is being spearheaded by Christina Baughman, who has a very detailed operation plan ready to be implemented. We are currently reaching out to local businesses to see if they’re able to support our efforts through a donation of any type. Our ulimate goal would be to have a separate shed that can be dedicated to this cause.”
Something that isn’t new is when Hopewell Youth Baseball honors senior members of the Hopewell HS Baseball team with Senior Recognition Night and that will continue this year.
“Senior Recognition Night, which is an annual Hopewell Baseball tradition that honors our senior varsity players and brings our youth and school sponsored programs together to celebrate the amazing players in our organization,” said Lavia. “This year, we will be holding Senior Recognition Night on May 1st. The evening will kick off with honoring the players from the Clas of 2026 and their families on Awesome Electrical Services Field. Each senior player will be presented with gifts courtesy of HYBBBA, commemorating their careers. Once this ceremony concludes, we will play pickup style games amongst our youth teams at the Farm, Minors and Bronco Levels.”
In terms of new things happening this year, Lavia gave us a preview of a few of them:
*New uniform options
*More balanced game schedule this spring
*Work continues at our Racoon Facility, including rehabbing and reopening ANOTHER field in 2026
Lavia also wanted to mention that the next Hopewell Baseball board meeting will take place on Sunday, February 22, which coincides with the closure of Spring Registration for all levels except for Pony and Colt. Time and location will be announced in the coming days.
