Young players at Northwest Youth Baseball and Softball in St Petersburg are preparing for their own league fixtures while helping to build a new generation of Tampa Bay Rays supporters during the club’s World Series run.
The recreational programme, based at Northwest Park, has more than 400 boys and girls aged between three and 16. Its autumn leagues include divisions for children from pre-tee level through to 16U baseball, alongside girls’ softball. ([fox13news.com](https://www.fox13news.com/news/st-petersburg-baseball-league-builds-new-generation-rays-fans-amid-world-series-excitement))
Young St Petersburg players embrace the Rays
Eleven-year-old Nolan Lyver, a catcher in the 12U league, said the sport’s appeal lay in the opportunity to learn different positions and improve through practice.
“I just like the love of the game. Everyone wants to play it. You can play any position that you want as long as you practise,” he said.
Coach Brett Gerdes, who leads a 10U team, said the league’s priority was to create a supportive environment in which children could develop as players and continue with the sport at school, college or simply as lifelong fans.
He believes the Rays’ presence in St Petersburg is helping young people form a stronger connection with their local team, after years in which visiting supporters often dominated the stands.
“There’s nobody really who grew up a Rays fan who has another generation growing up as Rays fans, and that’s what we’re doing right now,” Gerdes said.
Rays World Series excitement reaches youth league
The children have been following the Rays’ postseason campaign, including home runs from Yandy Díaz and Junior Caminero and the performances of pitcher Freddy Peralta, who was named American League Championship Series most valuable player.
Ten-year-old Henry Gerdes was looking forward to the World Series when his father surprised him with tickets for the Rays’ home opener in the series. Game Three is scheduled for Monday, 26 October, against the Milwaukee Brewers. ([mlb.com](https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/2026-mlb-playoff-and-world-series-schedule.html?utm_source=openai))
“Wow, my brain’s still processing that. That’s amazing,” Henry said. “Win or lose, I just like to see them play.”
For nine-year-old Grayson Graves, the Rays’ success has provided an introduction to the sport.
“First time in my life that I really paid attention to baseball, and I understand how to play and they make the World Series. It’s exciting,” he said.
League organisers hope the current burst of enthusiasm will extend beyond this season, encouraging more children in St Petersburg to take up baseball and creating homegrown supporters for years to come.
