Madison, Tenn. – The Madison Little League, one of the oldest in Tennessee, is ready to kick off another season this weekend after severe storms and tornadoes caused significant damage to the fields and surrounding areas.
Founded in 1959, the Madison Little League has been a staple of the northeastern Davidson County community for over six decades. Anthony Douglas, who has served as the league’s president for nearly 25 years, is dedicated to ensuring the program continues to thrive. Douglas, a lifelong resident of Madison, spoke about the influence the league has had on his life, both as a former player and now as a leader.
“I was born and raised in the community, and I had a lot of coaches and parents who had a positive impact on my life,” said Douglas. “It was time to pay it back to the youth of today’s generation.”
However, as the league’s volunteers prepared for the opening day on April 12, the storm’s aftermath presented challenges. Fallen trees, scattered branches, and significant damage to signage and equipment had left their mark on the fields. One of the hardest-hit areas was the old coach-pitch field, where the scoreboard was blown down.
Despite these setbacks, Douglas and his team of volunteers worked tirelessly to clear the debris. “We’ll get the sheriff’s office or Metro Services to come by and pick up the wood,” he said, expressing gratitude for the community’s support in the cleanup efforts.
The storm damage was just one of the hurdles the Madison Little League has faced recently. For the past several months, the league has been undergoing a complete renovation of its facilities, both inside and out. The improvements include newly renovated bathrooms, upgraded cooking equipment, fresh paint, and more. This renovation project has been made possible through the help of local sponsors, including the Madison Church of Christ, which has provided significant support.
“The Madison Church of Christ has really stepped up with some of their people who used to play here,” Douglas noted. “A lot of them are the older guys and ladies that played here in years past.”
The storm, however, wasn’t the first time the fields have experienced significant damage. In addition to the recent fallen trees, two years ago, the fields saw one of their light poles knocked over. Local electric companies helped restore the pole, replacing it with new LED lights. The success of the new lighting system has led the league to consider expanding it to the entire park, citing both improved visibility and reduced costs.
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Douglas is eager to welcome the community to the fields for the opening day. The day’s festivities will kick off at 10 a.m., with the final game scheduled for 4 p.m. A total of 10 games will be played, with children aged 4 to 12 competing throughout the day. Douglas encouraged anyone with an interest in supporting youth sports to come out and show their support.
“We have grandkids that have come back now from grandparents,” said Douglas, reflecting on the generational connection the league fosters. “It makes you feel good as a coach and as a supervisor of the league, that people do enjoy the league so much that they’ll bring their kids and their kids’ kids back.”
In the coming years, Douglas hopes to see increased participation from both children and parents. Although this year’s teams are already full, registration for next season will begin in February and run through the first or second week of March. Following the draft, teams will begin practicing in preparation for the season, which typically kicks off in mid-April and lasts until early June.
“It’s a great place to be, and a great place to let your kids come and enjoy baseball,” Douglas added, emphasizing the importance of the league to both the current generation and the community as a whole.
As Madison Little League faces both challenges and successes in the years ahead, it remains a testament to the enduring spirit of community support and youth development.
