THE DALLES — Players and coaches from a trio of The Dalles Junior Baseball Association (TDJBA) teams had their names read aloud to commence city council’s meeting on July 13, before snapping photos with Mayor Rich Mays.
“It’s been part of my goal as mayor to recognize youth who have achieved statewide recognition or achievement, and this certainly has happened here,” Mays said, congratulating the 10U, 12U, and 14U squads in attendance — all of whom are statewide championship or tournament winners this past season. “We all acknowledge that success does not happen overnight; it takes a lot of dedication, discipline, and hard work from every one of you guys.”
The TDJBA is a youth organization that serves as a feeder program to the high school, fielding competitive, age-based travel teams (Junior Hawks) that prepare players for the next level. Beginning as a one 10U team three years ago, the program has since expanded to include middle school-aged players, and, depending on yearly turnout, has also formed 8U and 9U units.
TDJBA President Patrick Urain thanked the school district for granting youth access to their facilities and recognized the high school program for its well-coordinated, collaborative work in youth development. Urain also shouted out the local business community, of which 25-30 have contributed donations and support throughout the season.
“I have to take my hat off to all the parents,” Urain finished. “They’ve got more than one child in a lot of cases; they’ve got competing pressures and so forth, but they get their kid to practice on time. It’s the parents in the room that make it happen from year to year.”
Mays read the names of each participating player one by one, taking pictures with each group, before reading aloud a City of The Dalles Certification of Recognition to the TDJBA for its “outstanding achievement during the 2026 junior baseball season.”
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