Play ball!                       2008 all star tryout dates posted.                MAKE A DIFFERENCE!  2008 AAYO Board positions are open                                 2008 Registration is closed.  2009 registration opens Nov 1.                  A.A.Y.O. expects to reach over 1,200 children this year.                   Volunteers like YOU make this possible.

About US

• AAYO is a not for profit, volunteer organization whose purpose is to organize, conduct, supervise, sponsor and otherwise foster wholesome athletic youth Baseball and Softball programs for the youth residing in the Algonquin, Illinois area. 

• The AAYO has grown to over 1,400 players since it's induction in 1956.  

• We have eight baseball leagues, five softball leagues and travel baseball and softball.

A.A.Y.O. History

1956-66                 "Algonquin Youth Program” was run under Harry Keilman.

1960-66           Ponytail League for girls was started.

1967-68                 Jaycees support the program. Snapper field was built.

1969               Program was returned to the parents under the direction of Rollie Mess. Girls program resumed directed by Lucky Freund, Vicky Develis and Jean Botts.

1970                           “Algonquin Summer Baseball League” was born. By-laws were written and officers elected. Teams were divided into Major and Minor leagues. The Pony league was created. A field was built. A concession stand went up at Snapper field.

1973                            T-Ball instructional team was created for boy’s 7 years old and a Colt league formed for 13-16 year old boys. The Girls Traveling League for McHenry County began.

1974                               Under President Bill Canter our present “Algonquin Area Youth Organization” was incorporated to include both boys and girls with Jean Botts elected the first girls Director. The Colt league was divided into Pony league for 13 and 14 year olds and Colt league for 15 and 16 year olds in competition against Cary , LITH and Fox River Grove. A Minors field was built.

1975                              Under President Bob Williams, a concession stand went up on the Minor league field.

1976                               Under President Jerry Sinn, the two minor league fields were refurbished and were named Gulledge Field. First AAYO yearbook was published. Two refreshment stands were operated. By-laws were rewritten. New sportsmanship was written.

1977                              Under President Dan Gilly, a girl’s Pixie league was formed for teaching girls 7-8 the fundamentals of softball. Girls Minor League competition against Cary, LITH and Richmound. A basketball program was started for boys and girls during the winter months.

1978                              Under President Rich Dinelli, the By-laws were updated. Through the efforts of many local organizations and the AAYO Board Members an all-new brick concession stand was built at Snapper.

1979                              Under President Paul McDonough, new Pony/Colt fields was built by AMS and named Eipers Field in honor of Father William Eipers. A Friday night winter volleyball league was formed.

1980                              Under President Ken Hornberg and Director Chris Sabathne, AAYO began its first soccer program.  Operating under the Cary Park District, the spring season saw the Algonquin/LITH soccer program with approximately 200 boys and girls ages 6-18 playing. The girls Majors League Won the Woodstock Tournament for the second consecutive year.

1981                               Under President Mike Elliott, some members of AAYO Board helped initiate a meeting of community leaders for the purpose of forming a Park District in the Greater Algonquin Area. The AAYO sponsored the kid’s game during founder’s day.

1982                               Professional umpires are now used. The soccer program separated from AAYO to form its own association. The Park at Spring was dedicated in memory of Larry Holder.

1983                               Bleachers donated by Algonquin Lions were installed at Gulledge Field. Two new diamonds, Zange Field and Neubert Field, were completed.

1984                               With help from the Village of Algonquin Parks Committee, Eipers was rebuilt.

1985                               Under President John Drapanes, AAYO provided 463 boys and girls the opportunity to play baseball and softball. In the Cary Tournament, the Boy’s Majors and the Girls Majors brought a 2^nd place trophy and a 3^rd place trophy home.  During Founders Day, AAYO won 1^st place trophy for organizational floats.

1992                               Under President Chuck Horn plans were laid out for new ball fields.

1993                               Carol Weinhammer serves as President.

1994                              Under President Carol Weinhammer play began at the three fields at Presidential Park.

1995                              Under President Dave Sanders the AAYO changes its Board leadership format to include the head as the Commissioner of AAYO, Warriors division President and a Braves division President.

1996                              Under President Dave Sanders participation trophies for all players were provided.  Also a playoff was arranged for all leagues.

1997                               Under President Tim Gentile over 1000 boys and girls played in the AAYO.  In the Cary tournament girl’s minors brought home 2^nd place.  The first player Appreciation Day was established.

1998                              Under Commissioner Tim Gentile play began at Willoughby Farms known as Wynnfield Field.  The first AAYO Players Guide is published. The girl’s Minors and Majors took 2^nd place and the Pony team took first place trophies home to Algonquin, at the Cary tournament. The AAYO Colt team and girls Travel team took 1^st place in their leagues.

1999                              Under Commissioner Tim Gentile, the close of the millennium and the planning for the next began. The first AAYO outing at Kane County Cougars was established.  Play began at two new fields at Westfield Community School, which was a joint effort between AAYO, District 300 and the Village of Algonquin.

2000                              Under Commissioner Tim Gentile, we start the new millennium with 100 teams and over 1000 players. The Baseball Minors had been split into a 9-year-old Mustang and a 10-year-old Minor’s league. Softball divided its leagues into Instructional, Pony Tail and Minors this year.

2001                              Under Commissioner Tim Gentile, Instructional Baseball is so large that it is decided to separate eight year olds into their own league and call it Junior Mustang.

2002                             After seven years Commissioner, Tim Gentile retires. Discussions continue to include the growth of girls travel softball and the possibilities of an Algonquin team.

2003                               Under the leadership of Commissioner, Tracy Harper, plans are confirmed to add two more fields on the west side which will be known as Kelliher Park. The AAYO Board is restructured to include an Executive Committee of eleven members. The Village of Algonquin   began work on the next year’s two additional fields which became Algonquin Lakes. Plans are put into place for the construction of a concession stand at Presidential Park. 

2004                              Scott Richman begins serving as Commissioner. The completion and use of the Concession Stand at Presidential Park is realized. Travel teams are hosting tournaments and bringing other teams to visit the fine city of Algonquin. Growth and field space continue to be a concern for the Board.

2005                              aayo.net is launched to improve information sharing. PPP program is launched to encourage parental involvement. New AAYO logo is introduced. Two new fields at Algonquin Lakes are put into use. Fences added to several fields. Safety improved at Presidential Park with a new protective backstop installed in fall.  

2006                              A slotted draft is tried for the first time in one league and results in better parity.  AAYO hosts its first Softball All Star tournament. In cooperation with the Village of Algonquin, new dugouts are installed at Presidential Park and Holder Field in preparation for 2007.

2007                              Online registration is offered for the first time. Slotted draft is made standard.  Travel softball program grows by offering a second travel softball age group.

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Algonquin Area Youth Organization (A.A.Y.O.)

Baseball/Softball

P.O. Box 265

Algonquin, Illinois 60102

(847) 899-3961 

Last updated: 05/07/2008

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