Pinecrest Little League is located in southeast Hillsborough County, Florida, and has been serving its community since 1968 with both baseball and softball programs. As a chartered member of Little League International, Pinecrest Little League believes in the power of youth baseball and softball to teach life lessons that build stronger individuals and communities.

PINECREST LITTLE LEAGUE

ESTABLISHED 1969-1970

Written By: Becky Varnum Davis

A.H. “Hank” Varnum was inspired to create a Little League program for the kids and youth of Pinecrest Community including Picnic, Fort Lonesome, Keysville, Welcome, Boyette, Durant and children from any other nearby areas who desired to play ball at Pinecrest Little League. 

Some of the men and women that helped build the first 4 fields and concessions stand, in 1969, were: 

Mr. A.H. “Hank” Varnum, Mr. Al Hood, Mr. Raymond Conrad, Mr. Doc Gill, Mr. Shorty Gill, Mr. Bill Wood, Mr. Johnny Hunter, Mr. Bill Hood, Mr. Garland Varnum Sr, Mr. John A Varnum, Jr, Mr. John Purvis, Mr. Lawrence Tidwell, Mr. Billy Corbett, Mr. James “Jim” Wheeler, Sr, Mr. Sam Conrad, Mr. Howard Barnes, Mr. Marrel Peoples, Mr. Jim Kicklighter, Mr. Hardy Greenwood, Mr. Tommy Corbett, Mr. Damon Hunter, Mr. Wilber Colding, Mr. Quintin Cook, Mr. Louie Gill

While the men worked on creating and building the fields and concessions stand, the wives were working very hard too.  The wives were planning and taking care of concession duties, cleaning, planning fund raisers, and much, much more. 

While the wives/moms and the husbands/dads were working the kids were working too!  The boys/sons and girls/daughters were picking up oak roots by the 100’s, no 1000’s and piling them high. 

It would be very remiss of me, not to mention a very important piece of our history.  As you enter the park, you pass not only our symbol of freedom, the flag, but a memorial to a young man who loved the game of baseball, Rodney Conrad.  Rodney, lost his life after sustaining an injury during a game here at our fields.  His death was a hard loss for our park and our Little League Family.  May we always remember….

In later years, Hillsborough County added two more fields.  Those fields are known today as the “Tball Field” and softball field. They also added restroom facilities.

Many generations have contributed their time, their efforts, their businesses, their sponsorships, their finances to make Pinecrest Little League what it is today.  CMW, Gill Construction, Mitchel Stevens Realty, Davis Grocery, TECO-Peoples Gas, Welcome Baptist Church, Rick’s Custom Meats, IMC/Mosaic, Metalcoat, are just some of the businesses who have shown their support through the 55 years of our league.

May we the great great grandparents, the great grandparents, the grandparents, parents, siblings, friends and families continue to keep the dream of Little League Baseball alive for future generations to come!