A local youth baseball organization is looking to grow, all while keeping the big picture in perspective.
The Snoqualmie Valley Youth Athletic Association, which was founded by North Bend resident Peter Kairis, just finished its second season of play in the youth baseball select circuit.
The association fielded a single team this year, but the numbers may increase in time for next season.
SVYAA’s Hurricanes team played this season in the under-14 Sandy Koufax league, facing clubs from all over the Eastside.
“By popular demand, we’ve had a small group of kids that go to Mount Si High School that have expressed interest in coming and playing U-16 baseball,” said Kairis, who coaches the Hurricanes.
How many teams take the field in 2010 will be determined through the tryout process.
The SYVAA is not only seeing increased interest locally. The team had some players this year from beyond the Snoqualmie Valley, including Bellevue’s Nolan Watson.
“I really like this program because there’s a lot to get here,” said Watson, who appreciates the SVYAA’s approach compared to other clubs based closer to his home.
“In some programs, if you’re the coach’s son, you’re going to get the playing time,” he said. “You’re going to get the start and the coach likes you.
“But here, it’s all about effort,” Watson added. “If you show effort and you’re going out there to play, you’re going to get the start.”
Those values continue to extend into the classroom. Academics remain a strong component of the program, in terms of keeping grades up. Minimum GPAs are required to compete.
“It lets us know that you’re not going to go anywhere without good grades,” Watson said. “If you want to play baseball in high school, you’ve got to make the pass, and this is basically practice for that.
“Play your best; try your hardest, both academically and out on the field,” Watson tells his Valley peers.
Chase Kairis, who plays on the Hurricanes, is the son of the coach and his wife, Rhoda. Both Peter and Rhoda Kairis have invested considerable time and effort into putting this together, and Chase said they stay very busy.
“It’s a lot of work,” he said.”My mom, she’s working all night so whenever she has the chance, she’s going to be sending out emails, updating stuff on games. My dad has been working on batting cages, all that stuff. It’s just challenging to maintain, but we can do it.”
There are a number of benefits for players who are part of the association, such as access to batting cages at the Kairis household, barbecues and other social functions.
Of the many select teams outside of the Valley, Kairis said his group provides something different — the ability to stay local.
“First of all, keep your dollars here,” he said. “We give very, very good educational baseball and take the kids to the next level.”
• Learn more about the Snoqualmie Valley Youth Athletic Association at svyaa.com/aboutus.aspx
