Joy League crowns champions

The Homewood Joy League wrapped up its 55th consecutive season of daytime baseball. Commissioners Perry Akins and Ted Hagler awarded championship trophies to winning teams: The Bucs for the A division; The Yanks for AA; and The Bucs for AAA.

To end the season, each division champ played a game against an All-Star team composed of 12 players from its division. All-Stars from the Bucs and the Cards played All-Stars from the Sox and the Yanks in a Tee-Ball Rookie All-Star game.

Following those games, the coaches, players and their families enjoyed a traditional watermelon picnic.

Each year, Joy League games are played on Saturday mornings on the two diamonds at Edgewood Elementary School. A total of 216 boys and girls played in league games this year.

Established in 1958 by the late John J. Smith, Sr., the Joy League provides its third generation of players a fun place to learn the game of baseball.