League Information

Winter Park Optimist
Long Leaf Park, Wilmington, NC
2022 Spring Baseball and Softball Information

Thank You for your support of Winter Park Optimist (WPO) and our recreational baseball and softball programs. Each year since 1954, WPO serves about 1000 local boys and girls by providing enjoyable opportunities to play organized baseball and softball. Our recreational programs safely accommodate youth from all backgrounds and skill levels. WPO’s efforts extend well beyond recreational sports. Your support of our programs, as well as Christmas tree sales and our annual childhood cancer tournament and home run derby, allows WPO to donate tens of thousands of dollars each year to local families fighting childhood cancer, the Lake Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home, and provides scholarships to several of our youth who are heading off to college. Additionally, WPO invests in field improvements at Long Leaf Park and supports local public- school athletics programs each year. All of this is made possible by your support. Thank You!

If you are interested in supporting WPO at a corporate level, please email Mr. Jake Cuba at: [email protected]. We would love to line all our outfield fences with banners showcasing local businesses who support WPO.

The below dates are provided to help you plan your spring and summer. Any changes will be communicated on our website, social media, and via email:

Feb 27, 2022 – Registration closes (no in-person registration – online only)
Mar 2, 2022 – Softball tryouts (all ages)
Mar 3, - Softball tryouts rain date (all ages)
Mar 4, 2022 – Major League Division Tryouts
Mar 5, 2022 - Coach Pitch & Minor Divisions Tryout
Mar 6, 2022 – Tryout rain date for all divisions
Mar 7-9, 2022 – Teams formed via a draft (Coaches only in the WPO clubhouse)
Mar 10, 2022 – Practices start
April 2-3, 2022 – Opening ceremonies and the WPO Childhood Cancer Benefit Tournament April 3 – June 6, 2022 – Regular Season Games
June 6 – 17, 2022 – Double elimination tournament
June 3, 2022 – Childhood Cancer Benefit Homerun Derby

Additional information about our spring recreational baseball program:

WPO plays under the Pony Baseball rules
Registration fee is $125
Each child in the minor and major divisions receives a sponsor hat and jersey
Each child in T-ball and coach pitch divisions receives a hat, jersey, pants, belt, and socks
Your child’s age on Aug 31 determines what division he/she plays in. Birth certificates may be checked
There is no “playing up” or “playing down”
Coach and player requests for tee ball only in the spring. No requests allowed for other divisions)
All bats must be unaltered USA bats and contain the USA logo
WPO All Star Program
Each year, WPO forms all-star teams consisting of players from each team and each division (coach pitch through majors) and voted on by the coaches to compete in various tournaments throughout our Nation. In the past few years, WPO teams have won state titles and earned their way to several Pony World Series events all over the country. In May, WPO will form all-star teams for each age group (age as of Aug 31), 8- year-old through 12-year-old. The 8, 9, and 11 year-old teams will compete as WPO teams in local travel ball tournaments at the coach’s discretion, while the 10 and 12 year-olds will compete in the Pony all star circuit with a chance to go the Pony World Series in Louisiana and Texas respectively. Please talk to your coach or your division commissioner to get more information on the WPO All Star Program.
Thank You again for your support of Winter Park Optimist. For more information, please visit our website at:
https://www.wpo1954.com/

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est. 1954

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