Northeast Indiana Youth Baseball
Our Story
It all started in the 1980s with a simple idea and a shared love for the game. Founders Al Sprague and Tom Steele saw a need for competitive youth baseball in northeast Indiana and set out to build something special. What began as the Noble LaGrange League gave young players across Noble and LaGrange Counties the chance to step onto the diamond, represent their hometowns, and grow through America's favorite pastime. Starting with just 1/4 Pints and 1/2 Pints divisions, the league quickly became a cornerstone of our community — a place where kids learned not only how to hit, throw, and field, but how to work as a team, show up for each other, and carry themselves with pride. Over the decades, our reputation for quality youth development drew interest from communities across the region, and we grew far beyond those original two counties. In 2025, we embraced a new chapter, becoming Northeast Indiana Youth Baseball to better reflect the families we serve across Noble, LaGrange, Kosciusko, and Steuben Counties. While our name has changed and our reach has grown, our heart remains the same — every child who picks up a glove has a home with us.
Our Founders
Al Sprague and Tom Steele didn't just start a baseball league — they planted the seeds of a community tradition that has grown for over four decades. In the 1980s, these two men shared a vision: give the kids of Noble and LaGrange Counties a place to play, compete, and fall in love with the game of baseball. Armed with dedication, a love for their community, and a belief that every young player deserved a chance to step up to the plate, Al and Tom built the Noble LaGrange League from the ground up. Their legacy lives on every spring when Kimmell Baseball hosts the preseason tournaments in honor of Al and Tom. What they started wasn't just a league — it was a family; where every pitch thrown, every base stolen, and every kid who proudly puts on a jersey and takes the field can have fun and learn to play the game they loved so vey dearly.
Our Communities
The communities listed below are all represented in the Northeast Indiana Youth Baseball League.
- Albion
- Avilla
- LaGrange
- Prairie Heights
- Rome City
- Wawasee
- West Noble
- Westview
- Wolcottville
- Wolf Lake