What
is the Paris Optimist Club?
A –
It is a civic organization managed by a board of directors. Optimists serve the youth in their community
with youth activities and programs. The
Paris Optimist main youth activity is the baseball program.
What
does the Paris Optimist Club do?
A - Our most prominent program is providing DYB recreational baseball for
players from 3-14 years old in the Paris, North Lamar, Chisum and Hugo school
districts. We also host Optimist Essay
and Oratorical competitions for Lamar County high school students as a way for
them to win prize money for college. We
also help support the Red River Down Syndrome “Buddy Ball program, Head Start
and CASA for kids.
How
can I become more involved?
We always need volunteers! You can
volunteer to help with events, such as tournaments and fundraisers, and/or help
us expand our programs. We'd love to add more youth and community activities,
but we have to get more volunteers willing to donate their time and talents.
Don't
the baseball registration fees cover the costs of the baseball program and
property maintenance and improvements?
No. The funds received from baseball
player registrations cover only about 70% of the costs to have the baseball
program, including field maintenance, baseball equipment, umpire pay, etc. That
doesn't include administrative expenses and improvements to the facilities.
Does
the city and county own and maintain the fields and facilities?
A –
Charles Taylor Youth Complex & Woodall Fields is owned by the Paris
Optimist Club. The club maintains and
operates the facilities. Player
registration fees, team sponsors, advertising sign, team sponsors, grants,
Baseball Bash Gala and baseball tournaments provide the fundraising to finance
the baseball program, maintenance and improvements of the facilities. The city of Paris makes an annual contribution
but does not help with the maintenance.
Why
are there not enough umpires on all the fields each day?
A –
Umpires are recruited and trained by the Paris Optimist Umpire-in-chief. There is a shortage of sport officials all
over the county. Our program especially
has a problem because umpires want to be paid high school rates that our
organization cannot afford. We will train
anyone age 16 or older. There is an
umpire meeting each Sunday during the season to review rules and baseball
situations. There is also a problem with
the mistreatment of umpires from coaches and fans. Umpires do not like to umpire Optimist games
due to this problem.
Why
are games played on Wednesday?
A –
There are not enough fields to play all the scheduled games on in just four
days. Parents also do not want games on
Saturdays. They want Saturdays open for family
activities.
Why
are the fields not used for team practice?
A –
There are more than 70 teams registered each year. With this many teams, it is impossible to
schedule team practices. All-star teams
use the fields for team practice after regular season play and due to the
reduced number of fall league team, they are scheduled for team practice on the
fields.
Why
does the baseball program franchise with Dixie Youth Baseball?
A –
Optimist baseball was started in the 1970’s for the purpose of giving all kids
in the county the opportunity to play baseball (no matter their talent
level). At that time the Boy’s and
Girl’s Club (Boy’s Club back then) had they only baseball program in the
county. They were limited in the in
fields and number of kids that they could allow to play. They had player try outs and only the better
players made the teams. The Breakfast
Optimist, now Paris Optimist started a recreation baseball program with the
pledge that any child wanting to play baseball would be put on a team. Dixie Youth Baseball is a recreation youth
baseball organization which has the same goals for kids along with forming
teams to have parity. Other programs
allow coaches to recruit their team and the stacking of the best player talent
on a few teams.
How
do I become a coach?
A –
Go to the contact page. According to the
age you desire to coach, contact the League Agent for the age that you want to
coach. A Paris Optimist members has
first priority at a coaching position.
Are
coaches needed?
A –
Yes, coaches are needed in all ages 3 thru 14.
It has become difficult to find enough coaches for all age groups. We encourage people to get involved and
“Bring Out the Best in Kids” by coaching a team.