To many kids enrolled in Pinckneyville Park Baseball, the program is not merely a sport but a way of life. They come home from school, throw on their team gear, grab their gym bag and hop in the car to go practice or play a game.
But all that activity slid to a halt on March 17 when the Norcross Youth Baseball and Softball Association (NYBSA) suspended all games and practices at Pinckneyville Park and Collins Field to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Gwinnett County followed suit on March 22, closing its parks except for trails and open areas provided visitors adopt social distancing. The NYBSA has scheduled a meeting of its board of directors on April 5 to determine next steps regarding this year’s season schedule. In the meantime, practicing on any of the seven baseball and softball fields is prohibited.
Prior to the season suspension,
Pinckneyville Park Baseball had already held its draft, celebrated its opening
day for Spring 2020 and played into its second week. Reactions to the
interruption appear mixed. Gwinnett County City Manager and Pinckneyville Park Baseball Coach Brian Johnson noticed a wide range of emotions from parents, fellow coaches and
players involved in the program.
“There were a few parents, maybe
the day of (the season) being postponed or the day after, that felt that maybe
it was a bit early. In baseball you’re not as close, versus a sport like
basketball where you are all up into an opponent’s space and touching them a
lot. But as things have progressed, I don’t think any parent doesn’t think it
was a wise decision,” said Johnson.
Though health and safety prove
the major concern, player morale has certainly been affected.
“I know a ton of kids, my son
included, who were extremely upset when we told them the season would be
suspended indefinitely. Lots of the boys shed some tears because they love the
camaraderie, they love the challenge, they love the sport,” said Johnson.
Participants and supporters of
Pinckneyville Park Baseball are part of a unique approach to recreational
sports that may help foster a greater sense of community. The non-profit NYBSA
works in partnership with Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation to provide
organized sports.
“NYBSA was established in the
early 1960s to provide a recreational baseball and softball program and travel
baseball program for the youth of our community. The program strives to promote
the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical development of all program
participants through supervised competitive sports,” said NYBSA President Jason Pressman
The county owns and operates Pinckneyville Park, while NYBSA manages the everyday baseball and softball operations. Additionally, NYBSA owns & operates Collins Field at Dan Watts in Norcross.
“(The partnership) also contributes, because it is non-profit, to parental and personal involvement because I think more of the parents of kids on the teams invest their time as they see ‘We’re a part of the process, We get an opportunity to weigh in and influence things,’” said Johnson.
Currently about 600 participants make up the over 50 teams in the NYBSA baseball and softball programs. The age ranges and skill levels involved start at U-6 (under six) tee-ball and progress gradually in challenge level until Pony Level, with a maximum age of 14 years old. There are also an impressive number of all-star and traveling teams that play in tournaments locally and nationally.
Regarding how the Peachtree
Corners community can support the NYBSA and Pinckneyville Park Baseball,
Pressman urged residents to follow Coronavirus quarantine guidelines as
outlined by county, state and national officials. In an abundance of caution,
the NYBSA website discourages impromptu get-togethers of players and parents at
any of the fields it uses.
Pressman expressed gratitude for
the patience and understanding of the coaches, players, volunteers and fans, as
well as the entire NYBSA board for their leadership and guidance during these
challenging times.
The NYBSA will continue to monitor county, state and national recommendations and act accordingly. Pressman and the other NYBSA board members prepare to meet via teleconference on April 5.
Note: Since this story originally went to press the association has canceled the 2020 Recreational Baseball and Softball season.
Kelsey Asher is a proud graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Communications. She has held a variety of marketing leadership roles for several small, startup companies in a variety of industries including publishing, construction and technology.
Maintenance and repairs will take place from March through July; the deck will remain open to the public throughout
Starting the week of March 24, the City of Peachtree Corners will begin scheduled maintenance and repairs on the Town Center Parking Deck. These improvements are expected to continue through July 2025 and are necessary to ensure the longevity of the structure.
During this period, the deck will remain open to the public, but the repair areas will be temporarily closed on a rolling basis. These closures will allow crews to efficiently complete the necessary work while minimizing disruption to tenants, customers and residents.
To assist with navigation, directional signage, barriers and other safety measures will be in place to guide drivers and pedestrians safely around work areas. For public safety, drivers must follow the directional signage and only park in the open sections of the deck.
The city appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as they work to maintain a safe and well-functioning parking facility.
The Charity Run/Walk will be part of Curiosity Lab’s annual Criterium event
Expect a day of thrilling races and family-friendly fun at the inaugural Curiosity Lab Charity 5K Run/Walk followed by the Curiosity Lab Criterium on Sunday, April 27.
The day-long community event will kick off at 8 a.m., when registration opens for the 5K. The race will start at 9 a.m. and end at 10:30 a.m., and the Criterium will begin at 11:15 a.m.
In addition to the running and cycling events, there will also be kid’s races, food & beverage vendors, a kids zone, a DJ spinning tunes and more fun throughout the day.
The Charity 5K Run/Walk
Presented by WerfenandSidel, with additional support provided by Atlas Collaborative and the City of Peachtree Corners, the Charity 5K Run/Walk will benefit the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and 100% of the registration fees will be donated.
While no prizes will be given for the race, bib timing will be used for those who would like to see their times. And each registrant will receive a Curiosity Lab Charity 5K Run/Walk t-shirt for participating.
Following the 5K, hang around and experience the Curiosity Lab Criterium, part of U.S. Pro Cycling’s Speed Week.
Speed Week is a premiere week-long event on the U.S. Pro Cycling Circuit that draws cyclists from around the world, including Olympic medalists and world and national champions. In 2024, the professional men’s and women’s events drew cyclists from over 30 states and more than 20 countries.
photo courtesy of City of Peachtree Corners
Join in the excitement and watch as some of the world’s top male and female Criterium Racers tackle the most challenging track on the circuit.
The details
The 2025 Curiosity Lab Criterium & 5K will take place on a course located within the world-famous Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners — a 5G-enabled, 500-acre living laboratory ecosystem designed specifically as a proving ground for IoT, mobility and smart city emerging technologies.
Location: Curiosity Lab at City Hall • 310 Technology Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners
Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The 5K starts at 9 a.m and ends at 10:30 a.m. The Criterium begins at 11:15 a.m.
Parking for the event will be located at 400 and 420 Technology Parkway, Peachtree Corners.
The sun is out, days are getting warmer and spring is on its way. That means more time outdoors and more fun events and activities in and around Peachtree Corners.
From movies and sports to live music and family fun, now’s the time to mark your calendar for all of the upcoming events you won’t want to miss. We’re sharing a few of our April favorites to get you started.
All ages and fitness levels are invited to join Terrance Fox with CrossFit PPG on the Peachtree Corners Town Green, Thursdays at 8 a.m. for a strength and conditioning workout. Bring water (no glass containers), a small towel or two, and a mat if possible. Wear comfortable workout attire and good shoes. March–November. Admission: free
Peachtree Corners Town Green • 5140 Town Green Blvd., Peachtree Corners
Come out and cheer on the teams who’ve registered to compete in this seven-week spring league. Play takes place weekly beginning March 20 and ends on May 15 with a tournament and trophy. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: free
The Forum at Peachtree Corners • 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners
Kick back and groove to the smooth sounds of live music from favorite local artists every Friday night on The Plaza, April–October. Concert schedule will be announced soon. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission: free
The Forum at Peachtree Corners • 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners
This gardening workshop presented by nonprofit group DFOWW will share basic gardening information for youth ages 5–12 and their parent or guardian. Seeds, plants and a catered lunch will be provided. Register online. April 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tickets: $75 per adult; $10 per adult for low-income families
Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center • 10 College St., Norcross
Forum Flicks are back for 2025. Gather on The Plaza and enjoy your favorite movies on the big screen on the second Tuesday of each month. Movie schedule will be announced soon. April–October starting at 6 p.m. Admission: free
The Forum at Peachtree Corners • 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners
Kick off the spring gardening season with this four-day sale of plants and pots. Tomatoes, peppers, herbs, flowers and more will be available for purchase. April 19, 21–23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday; 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Wednesday.
Peachtree Farm • 356 Research Ct., Peachtree Corners
Learn about the origins of Earth Day and create seed bombs to take home with you at this all-ages workshop. April 22 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: free. Registration is not required.
Enjoy pork BBQ, Brunswick stew, slaw and desserts. The event will continue until items sell out. Dine in and take out are available. April 25 starting at 11 a.m.
Mount Carmel United Methodist Church • 5100 S. Old Peachtree Rd., Peachtree Corners
This annual two-day market showcase features a curated selection of artwork, handmade goods, jewelry and more, with offerings from professional artists as well as student artists. April 25–26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Wesleyan School • 5405 Spalding Drive, Peachtree Corners
Welcome spring at CtK’s annual Spring Fest! Families are invited to join in for a day of free family fun, food, face painting, a petting zoo and more. April 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission: free
Christ the King Lutheran Church • 5575 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners
This day-long, family-friendly event on April 27 will feature an inaugural charity 5K Run/Walk to benefit the American Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Following the race, guests are invited to hang around and experience the Curiosity Lab Criterium, a U.S. Pro Cycling Circuit Race. The 5K starts at 9 a.m.; the bike race begins at 11:15 a.m. There will also be kid’s races, food & beverage vendors, a kids zone, DJ and more throughout the day. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Curiosity Lab at City Hall • 310 Technology Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners