About the LTJBSA
Established in 1963, the Lawrence Township Junior Baseball Softball Association (LTJBSA) is a non-profit 501-3(c) public charity that produces quality, community-based tee ball, softball, and baseball programs that help children have fun, make memories, and learn to play the game on a trusted hometown field.
We strive to provide safe, low-pressure programs that let every child try, learn, and grow, while creating friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. We believe that community-based youth sports are an important platform for children to develop essential life skills like teamwork, resilience, and confidence.
Each year, more than 500 ballplayers and their families from Lawrence, Ewing, and Hopewell Township, NJ participate in an LTJBSA program. Read our origin story.
The LTJBSA oversees coordination of the Lawrence Babe Ruth League Baseball, Lawrence Little League Baseball & Softball, and Lawrence Competitive Baseball & Softball programs. The LTJBSA coordinates common operations of each program such as field and facility scheduling, maintenance, and safety procedures.
Our volunteer Board of Directors is elected annually and consists of the presidents of each sub-organization, four independent Trustees (each with a two-year term), and the Lawrence Little League Treasurer, Safety Officer, and Head of Softball. Monthly meetings are held from September through June and are open to all members in good standing.
🏆 Key Milestones
1963: The LTJBSA was formed as a non-profit organization in partnership with the Lawrence Township Recreation Department, Lawrence Little League, and Lawrence Babe Ruth League to centralize scheduling and field usage across the Township.
1972: Due to the advocacy of Recreation Board member Gretyl Gatterdam, the LTJBSA became one of the first youth programs in Mercer County to add a dedicated softball program, promoting Title IX in the Township. Ms. Gatterdam later was elected as a Councilwoman and was honored with a field named in her honor at Village Park.
1993: The LTJBSA raised over $100,000 to install the first lights at Lawrence Central Park, bringing night games to the community with a $20,000 Township contribution.
1999: The LTJBSA partnered with Lawrence Township to renovate a former Public Works garage into community batting cages, raising approximately $350,000 and leveraging donated labor from local tradespeople. The facility opened in 2001, with the LTJBSA managing its upkeep and maintenance to this day.
2000: The Association invested nearly $30,000 to completely renovate Pezzicola Field with a new playing surface, dugouts, and lighting.
2015: The Association invested nearly $60,000 of self-raised funds to renovate four Central Park infields and install new scoreboards.
2021: The LTJBSA collaborated across the Township, particularly with the Lawrence Township Recreation Department and the Department of Health, to develop comprehensive safety protocols, enabling it to become the first youth sports organization in the Township to return to play following the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Little League International asked the LTJBSA to assume the territory of the former Ewing Little League, and Babe Ruth League Inc asked the LTJBSA to assume administration of the former Ewing-Hopewell Babe Ruth League, expanding service to include Ewing and Hopewell Township residents.
2026: A $60,000 self-funded investment expanded three fields for 50/70 baseball and doubled softball capacity at the Park by upgrading Carrol Field.