Local News

Sounds of Summer

Audio-rich stories from around Bloomington-Normal, recorded during the summer of 2023 and 2024. New episodes air throughout the summer on WGLT's Sound Ideas.

Bats swing as youth baseball creates fun and teaches lessons to young players

WGLT | By Jack Podlesnik

Published June 30, 2023 at 4:16 PM CDT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

Boys and Girls Club sign outside of a building

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The move of after-school programming from Bloomington Junior High School to the clubhouse on Illinois Street comes as the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal is at peak capacity. Around 85 kids are on a waiting list.

Emily Bollinger / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

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Boys and girls in the McLean County PONY Baseball league played against each other on Monday, June 26.

Jack Podlesnik / WGLT

In another installment of our Sounds of Summer series, WGLT heads to the baseball diamonds of the McLean County PONY Baseball league, where young athletes convene each summer to play in over 1,000 total games.

WGLT student reporter Jack Podlesnik takes you to the ballpark.