Columbia youth baseball league needs more players

Columbia youth baseball coordinator Sam Brady is asking for help to get more kids to sign up for summer baseball.

Brady says there are only 30 kids signed up now, when there are normally 80 at this point.

Games are played at Douglass Park. Brady thinks because of this, parents are hesitant to let their kids play there.

In past years, Douglass Park has been the scene of several crimes.

In September of last year, the Columbia parks and recreation department started construction to improve the park. By that time, there had been two stabbings, shootings and more than 370 calls to 911 that year.

Columbia police participate during the baseball league to build relationship with the kids and keep them safe.

You can sign up your child here: https://www.gocolumbiamo.com/ParksandRec/Sports/douglass-baseball.php