With school winding down for the year, that only means that the youth baseball and softball leagues head into their prime part of the season. The pinging sound of bat on ball and the smiles on the faces of area youngsters have been woven into the fabric of the community.

For all the interest in the sport, however, the area’s youth teams would not be in the position to provide such a vital opportunity for kids in T-ball all the way up to high school without the commitment put forth by the area’s sponsors. In order to recognize their contributions, the Southwest Colorado Youth Baseball and Softball organization allocated Saturday, May 20, as Sponsorship Appreciation Day.

Hosted at the softball complex on County Road G 2 in Cortez, the Sponsorship Appreciation Day made a full celebration for the organization’s more than 40 sponsors, including a day full of skills competitions for the kids, as well as recognition of all the teams and their sponsors.

Included in the community involvement for the T-ball squads, Four Corners Foot and Ankle, Katrina Weiss – State Farm, Tucker Transportation, Misfit Counseling, First National Bank, Spyder Equipment Repair, Keesee Motor Co., The Zu Gallery, Aaron’s, Tiremax, and Cleaning and Restoration Experts all supported the youngest category in the league.

For the 8-and-under baseball and softball teams, Western Group Inc., Lakeside Lanes, The Loft Salon and Nails, Dove Creek Superette, Rogers and Company, Integrative Insight Therapy, Pro-Cab Cabinets, Burger Boy Drive-In, The Cortez Elks, Schear Shack, Calico Cactus, and Dove Creek Auto Parts helped provide financial support to help cover costs for league fees, scholarships for families in need, and umpires.

For the older players – U10 and up – sponsors include Michael F. Green, P.C., Maxwell Development and Construction, All Weather Storage, Decker Hay Farm, RE/MAX – Mesa Verde Realty, Buffington Law, Community Banks of Colorado, Days Inn – Cortez, Yama Bushi Dojo, Farmers Telecommunications, Adobe Milling, Baymont Inn and Suites, Zuri’s Custom Detailing, Empire Electric, AFC Urgent Care, Big O Tires, Regents Real Estate, Truwest Auto, Crosscut Logging, and Tucker Transportation.

The community draw for Southwest Colorado Youth Baseball and Softball continues to provide a safe and fun opportunity for players to develop their athletic skills while also learn teamwork and sportsmanship. This year’s youth involvement included over 400 players from all across Montezuma and Dolores counties.