Our History

Lakeside Youth Baseball was established in 1954 and has been a part of the Lakeside community ever since.  In the mid 90's Lakeside Youth Baseball changed from Little League to Babe Ruth and we are still a Babe Ruth Baseball League. In 2008, we reincorporated as Greater Richmond Lakeside Youth Baseball to reflect that our players come from areas beyond the Lakeside community, but we are most commonly referred to as Lakeside Youth Baseball or LYB.

2024 will mark our 70th year of serving the Lakeside Community and surrounding areas. We are as committed now to providing a place for children to learn the sport of baseball as we were in 1954. We are proud of the fact that we often have several generations of players on the fields at LYB. Some of our Board Members were once players on these fields and their parents volunteered as coaches or board members. Now Grandparents sit in the bleachers to watch games on the fields they once coached or played on. (Sometimes they even come back to coach again!) Lakeside Youth Baseball has had players, parents, and board members come and go; however, the love of the game - and our league - remains. 

From 1954 to present there have been hurricanes and countless tornadoes impacting Virginia. It is estimated by the Virginia Hurricane Climatology Weather Prediction Center that on average Viriginia is seriously impacted by a Hurricane every 2.3 years. Lakeside Youth Baseball has experienced this firsthand.  At times, it seems we should create a new sport combining baseball and water polo to stay operational when the storms bring flooding to our complex.

In September 2003 the most devastating of hurricanes since the 1960s hit Virginia. Hurricane Isabel destroyed the Lakeside Youth Baseball complex along with much of the city and surrounding areas. With water reaching over 20 feet at the complex there was nothing left, but as Lakesiders do, we picked up and rebuilt. In August 2004 Tropical Storm Gaston hit and delivered another devastating blow to Lakeside Youth Baseball Complex. With the fall season about to begin LYB faced the possibility of having to cancel its season for the first time in its history. Nearby rival, Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association, allowed Lakeside to continue the fall season at their complex. Unfortunately, this would not be the last time that flooding impacted LYB and resulted in other Babe Ruth and/or Little League organizations in the area putting rivalry aside and helping us complete seasons.  In 2017, before All-Stars tournaments were about to begin, LYB was hit with another significant flood. Local sports organizations and businesses helped LYB with field use, practice facilities, equipment, and funding to continue the season and come back from our losses. Former players and coaches came back to the field to help with cleanup and LYB was able to continue.  There have been smaller floods since, and we know another big one will likely happen again, but the Lakeside spirit, family, and community is strong and we will overcome whatever nature pitches to us. 

Lakeside Youth Baseball continues to focus on youth baseball, family, and team spirit. Our objective is to teach the ideals of good sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect in the children who play for our league.  We believe these ideals help provide a solid foundation for the future of the youth in our community.

We are located on Club Road near the intersections of Lakeside Avenue and Hilliard Road. We are physically located at the end of Club Road, behind the Belmont Golf Course.