ALVA Fla. – Youth baseball is making a comeback in the Alva community after several years without a recreational league.
The Buckingham Youth Baseball League announced it is relaunching organized play at the Alva Fields on North River Road through a partnership with Lee County Parks & Recreation and Alva, Inc. The move restores recreational baseball to the area after the former Alva league shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BYBL President Daniel Brophy said the expansion into Alva was a natural next step for the league, which is one of the largest in Lee County.
“The Alva league here closed somewhere around the COVID era, and it’s really been an unused facility,” Brophy said. “As you can see, it’s a beautiful facility all around us, and our goal here is to return baseball to the Alva area.”
Last season, Buckingham Youth Baseball served nearly 400 players across four fields in the Buckingham area. Brophy said many families from Alva had already been traveling to Buckingham to keep their children involved in baseball.
“When Alva closed, we picked up a lot of the Alva kids in Buckingham,” Brophy said. “That showed the commitment between the Buckingham and Alva communities…they’re very similar communities.”
The inaugural Alva season is set to begin in Spring 2026. About 65 children are already registered, forming four to five teams. The league is open to players ages three through sixteen.
Brophy said the league’s focus extends beyond competition, emphasizing sportsmanship, skill development and family involvement. BYBL also offers hardship discounts to help ensure cost does not prevent children from participating.
“Our hopes are to bring the same experience we have in Buckingham over here to Alva and really build this league back up for the community,” Brophy said.
While the league is starting modestly, Brophy said there is a long-term vision to grow the Alva program to match Buckingham’s, including potential facility upgrades like batting cages, depending on community interest and support.
Registration for the Alva league is currently open. Practices are expected to begin in mid-January, with games running through June. Families can find more information by visiting Buckingham Youth Baseball’s website or Facebook page.