Compton Little League can go home again

Compton Little League officials and players await the completion of construction of the new field at Sibrie Park.

Story Created: Aug 27, 2010 at 3:27 PM PST

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2010 at 12:12 AM PST

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Compton’s Sibrie Park, once known as El Segundo Park, has seen a who’s who of professional baseball talent march through there over the decades to bigger and better things.

Reggie Smith, Lonnie Smith, Roy White, Hubie Brooks, George Hinshaw, Chris Smith and Andrew Toussaint, along with NFL standout Greg Townsend, are just some of those who got their starts playing organized ball at the park located at 1300 W. El Segundo Blvd.

That lineage was broken for three decades because the city did not have a Little League program. That was until last year when parents and coaches resurrected one at the park.

And when construction is completed around March on the new field, which includes bleachers and a snack bar, the league will actually be able to play home games, something it wasn’t able to do a year ago. A soccer field is also being built near the baseball facility.

Luther Keith Jr., one of the league’s coaches and a gang intervention specialist, expressed his gratitude to city of Compton officials for the construction project at this park and others around the city.

He also thanked many of the coaches of the past for their contributions, as well as current Lynwood High School coach James Bishop, who donated equipment.

The main goal is to let people know there are positive activities available for kids.

“My goal is to teach student-athletes to be team players on and off the field,”
Keith said. “I enjoy helping the youth by keeping them out of gangs and off the streets through extracurricular activities, such as sports.

“We try to keep the kids focused and on the right track, to respect their parents and go to class. There’s too much talent around here.”

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