With 87 players this summer, Haines Little League has blown past last year’s count of 50 participants.

“It’s definitely the most we’ve ever had,” said Brian Elliott, vice president of the board and coach for the Red Sox. “I would say per capita we’re definitely right up there with any town in Southeast, if not exceeding that.”

School district enrollment numbers suggest that about 69% of eligible children in Haines are participating in Little League this summer, compared to 43% in Sitka and 17.6% in Juneau, according to data from Little League’s Southeast Alaska District.

“It kind of does feel like every kid is doing it,” Elliott said.

The program in Haines has been suspended and revived periodically throughout the decades, depending on player interest and parent motivation. “It comes in waves,” said Ashley Sage, who organized the league for several years in the early 2000s. “It’ll go away for a while and then come back. … It really depends on parent volunteers.”

Heather Lende, who is volunteering as an umpire this season, recalls that there wasn’t an official league when her children were young. She thinks there weren’t enough interested children to justify the expense of the uniforms and equipment regulated by the national Little League charter.

“Little League is pretty high maintenance,” Lende said. “All the parents have to really help.”

Elliott confirmed that the bureaucratic hoop-jumping – and high price tag – required to register a league with the national charter can be daunting. He cited issues like specific field dimensions and a strict and extensive rule book. A big benefit of registering with the national charter is that it covers insurance, he said.

The total cost of funding Little League this summer is $22,000, according to treasurer Erica Loomis Carrington. The Haines Borough School District pitched in about $4,000 of its federal covid-relief money to waive registration fees for all players. The rest of the bill has to come from fundraising efforts, including concessions, a booth at the Southeast Alaska State Fair and – new this year – outfield ad banners.

This season, Haines’ league comprises six teams — four major league teams, for 9- to 12-year-olds, and two senior league teams, for 13- to 16-year-olds. Each team plays two games a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“I think it’s definitely grown in popularity,” said Kristin White, who served on the Little League board for several years and whose younger son is participating this season. “It’s such a fun way to spend a summer. And it really brings the community together; everybody’s really cheering for each other.”

Amy Nash has experience as a Little League parent – and coach – both in Haines and in Seattle, where her family lives during the school year. She agrees that Haines’ Little League has an unusual convivial and supportive atmosphere.

Though her sons love playing in Seattle, she said, “they can’t wait to get up here because they get to play with people that they know in an environment with families that enjoy watching them play. … It’s just a different feeling.”

She said this year’s energy is even more exhilarating than last year’s because of increased participation. “(The program) hasn’t ever been this strong,” Nash said. She attributes the success to “committed adults (who have) put a lot of effort into learning how to have a Little League here.”

“I love baseball,” said Red Sox player and rising fourth-grader Isaac Mason. His sister played last year and inspired him to join this year. “It’s fun that you get to play against friends.”

All four younger division teams will play their last games on Friday. The 13- to 16-year-olds will finish out the season on July 20.