Little league baseball, softball splits, new leadership takes over

Little league families are in for changes this summer as softball and baseball split ways.

In December, the Creston Baseball/Softball Association voted in favor of dissolution. Following the dissolution, new hands are taking over the little league teams for 2026.

Baseball will be getting an early start under leadership of the Creston Baseball Club, run by Creston High School Head Baseball Coach Brandon Phipps.

Rusty Zimmerman, director of Creston parks and recreation, will take charge of softball, with the help of previous board members.

“We’ve got everybody covered, but we’ve got to just split them up,” Zimmerman said during the January parks and rec board meeting.

Phipps was confident about the future of the program.

“Rusty and I will work together to be sure both groups work well together and will obviously support each other’s missions,” Phipps said.

While exact details for softball are not yet decided, Zimmerman is planning to start the season in mid-May and be done before the Union County Fair, which is estimated to begin July 19.

Baseball will run from mid-April to late May. First through sixth graders are invited to join this six-week program, expected to be from 8-12 games.

Registration is due Feb. 15, along with a $50 flat fee, which includes a hat and city league top. In-person registration will be Sunday, Feb. 15 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the CHS commons. Checks can be made payable to Creston Baseball Club.

More information can be found on the Creston Baseball Club Facebook page. Questions can be directed to Phipps at 641-202-0077.

In other parks and rec news...

The annual comedy night will be held Saturday, Feb. 14, with Jeff Caudill of Lovilia performing. Held at the Creston Eagles Club, the night will kick off with social hour from 5 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a prime rib dinner, auction and performance by Caudill.

Tickets are $40 each and are available at the Eagles Club, Creston News Advertiser, with park and rec board members or at 641-344-3879.

John Kawa was reappointed to the board by Creston City Council Tuesday. Kawa is the longest serving member of the five-person board.