History of Des Plaines 
Baseball, Inc.

The new millennium has brought a new look to Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. Two years ago DP Baseball merged with the South Side Little League, and the city's 4A Division, into one city-wide league. It's not the first time the league has changed through mergers or division, and it promises a bright future for an every growing baseball league.

West Park Baseball was chartered in 1953 and operated under that name for many years. Prior to 1988, Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. was two different baseball organizations, West Park Baseball and Northwest Little League. Both organizations were chartered by "Little League" (Williamsport). The two organizations merged in 1988. Before the merger, West Park Baseball had 6 to 8 teams playing in one division, with players ranging in age from 9 – 12 years old. After the merger in 1988, the name was changed to Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. and the league was split into two divisions, the Minor League for players 8, 9, and 10 years old and the Major League for players 11 and 12 years old. Both boys and girls played in the league. At the same time the league changed its charter from Little League" to "PONY Baseball" and increased the playing field dimensions for the Major League (11 and 12 year old) division to provide a transition to the larger dimensions of older leagues and high school baseball fields. The philosophy of the league was that it would be instructional and stress sportsmanship.

In the late 1980’s, a Tee Ball program was established for 6 and 7 year old players. The program was conducted on Saturday mornings at West Park. The Minor League (9 and 10 year old) division played all of its games at the Chippewa (Northwest) Park field, while the Major League (11 and 12 year old) division played its games at West Park. A softball program for girls between the ages of 8 to 12 years old was also established around this time and played its games at West Park. All girls could play in either the softball or baseball programs. Girls are still welcome to play baseball with Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. today.

The league was starting to grow rapidly in all age divisions. By 1990 the Tee Ball program had grown to about 100 players and was moved to Chippewa Park, where there was more room. It has continued to grow ever since. The girl’s softball program was also growing rapidly, to over 70 girls playing on 6 teams. It attracted girls from all over Des Plaines, as it was the only girls softball program in the community. The Minor League baseball program grew to over 150 players, on thirteen teams, with only one field available. At this time, the Park District had no additional fields available for use, so the Baseball Board approached and worked with School District #62 to build a new field on the Cumberland / Chippewa School property for use as a second Minor League baseball field. Girls Softball was outgrowing the space at West Park and permission to use the softball fields at Maine West High School was sought and given to the league. New divisions were added to the softball program for 13 – 14 year old girls and 15 – 17 year old girls, and with permission from the Park District, the Girls Softball program built a new field at Chippewa Park. The Park District also built two new softball fields at Iroquois Park. By the mid 1990’s, Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. had grown into a program serving over 600 boys and girls.

In the late 1990’s, with the success of both the baseball program and the softball program, it was decided the two programs should be split apart. Girls Softball would form an independent organization. There were many people for and many against the split, but it was decided the separation would best serve both organizations.

Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. decided in the late 1990’s to add 5 year old players to the Tee Ball program and realign all of the age groups according to PONY Baseball divisions. Shetland (5,6), Pinto (7,8), Mustang (9,10), and Bronco (11,12) divisions were created, eliminating the Minor and Major League divisions. In the year 2001, the Pony (13,14) and Colt (15-17) Divisions have been added to the league.

In the late 1990’s Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. also began inter-league play by establishing a program where games during the season would be played against teams from South Park Little League. This gave our players the opportunity to play at different parks and against different teams. Many of the players enjoy these games because it gives them the opportunity to play against friends and schoolmates who are enrolled in a different program.

Prior to the early 1990’s, the Park District sponsored an inter-league tournament at mid-season between the first place teams in the 11-12 year old division from each league (West Park, South Park, Central, and Devon Higgins). This tournament ended in the early 1990’s. In the mid 1990’s, directors from the various leagues in Des Plaines formed a committee to plan an all-city tournament. Mustang and Bronco division teams from Des Plaines Baseball, Inc., South Park, Central Little League, Devon Higgins, and Waycinden have participated in this tournament each year since 1994. For a few years, girls softball teams from Des Plaines and Waycinden also participated. Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. has chosen players to form and enter two teams in the Mustang Division and two teams in the Bronco Division to participate in this tournament each year since it’s inception.

Des Plaines Baseball, Inc. continues to prosper and grow. Over 350 players participate in our baseball program. The longevity and success of the league is a tribute to all of the people who have volunteered their time and effort as managers, coaches, and board members over the last 40 plus years to organize and run the league.