About Us
Who We Are
Jefferson Youth Baseball was founded in Spring 2025 with an inaugural roster of 18 players. The program was launched by longtime Jefferson High School coach Jason Honl, who created JYB to expand access to baseball and strengthen the high school program by developing talent. JYB offers an inclusive, development-focused experience for middle schoolers seeking to prepare for competitive high school play.
What We Offer
JYB participates in the Junior Baseball Organization (JBO) during the Spring season, giving players the opportunity to compete against teams across the region while continuing to build fundamental skills. In addition to our spring league, we offer a summer program focused on having fun and building community through scrimmages, pick up games, and family events like potlucks, as well as Fall Developmental Baseball in September and October, and offseason skills workouts throughout the fall and winter to keep players engaged, active, and improving year-round. Our goal is to prepare young players—athletically, mentally, and socially—for the next level of competition while helping them grow as teammates and members of the community.
Where We Play
JYB practices and plays home games at the Jefferson High School baseball field, located at N Alberta St. and N Commercial Ave. JYB players also have access to an indoor hitting facility to support year-round development. As part of the Jefferson High School modernization project, the baseball field will be rebuilt with a new turf surface by early 2027.
Why Jefferson Youth Baseball?
Jefferson Youth Baseball offers young athletes the opportunity to grow as players while also learning responsibility, leadership, and what it means to be part of a team. As Portland Public Schools prepares for Jefferson to return to a full neighborhood high school, many middle school families currently in the Jefferson dual-enrollment zone will be brought together as future Demos. For those interested in baseball, JYB offers an opportunity to create meaningful connections to the high school program and the broader school community.
Extra Innings (baseball & softball for ages 7-12)
JYB partners with Extra Innings to create opportunities to play baseball and softball for youth ages 7-12, ensuring that barriers like money, equipment, and geography aren't stopping players from stepping onto the field. Extra Innings is building relationships across cultural, economic, and geographic lines, creating a stronger, more connected, and more resilient community.
Both JYB and Extra Innings are supported by the Hopscotch Foundation.