Desi Druschel, camp director and head baseball coach, says this is the biggest turnout the league has seen yet. With over 400 boys participating in this year's league, there are a total of 33 youth teams. Individuals are able to sign up, as well as teams. This year there are 24 teams signed up with their own coaches.

"It's a step up from practice," said Druschel. "But a step down from a competitive summer league game."

The league began Sept. 7 and continues each Sunday through Oct. 12, and is played on several fields throughout the Cedar Rapids metro area. The league is made up of the four following recommend divisions: Rookie League (fourth through sixth grade), Single A (seventh and eighth grade), Double A (ninth and 10th grade) and Triple A (11th and 12th grade).

All Mount Mercy baseball players participate in some form. Several serve as coaches and umpires, while others do game administration and field preparation.
Senior Dominic Gentile likes helping the kids and being outside. "It gives us time to give back to the community in a way that's beneficial to us and to them," said Gentile, who coaches a Single A team. "It gives them a chance to learn things from college baseball players that they wouldn't have normally learned."

Druschel adds that it's a nice fundraiser, which provides something the team enjoys. "It's good experience for the players," he said.

Each Sunday, the Mustang baseball team and the youth players show up for an hour and a half before game time. During this time teams warm-up, take part in an arm care/throw program, and a mini-camp with the Mount Mercy players. "This isn't built as an instructional league," said Druschel. "It's more about getting at-bats."

Over the weeks the young players have grown as a team and as individuals also. "The last couple of weeks my team has gotten a lot better," said Gentile. "It really shows they are really committed."

The money raised through the fall baseball league helps the team with travel expenses throughout the season. In January, the baseball team will put on two four-hour clinics, which is made up of two different age groups that can choose either the offensive clinic or the pitching/catching clinic. Other fundraisers the team has participated in are working concessions at Iowa football games and RoughRider games as well as at the U.S. Cellular Center.