FOR THE WAUSAU TIMES

On Thursday, August 24th, 2023, Veterans of Foreign Wars Burns Post 388 member and past post commander, Lyle Bricko, was inducted into the Little League Hall of Fame for all his years of service to the Little League program.

Lyle’s involvement in the sport began with him playing baseball as a youth and then after having kids of his own, building a baseball diamond in their backyard where all the neighborhood kids spent much of their time. Many windows were broken, but that didn’t bother Lyle or his wife, Barb (who is a member of Burns Post 388 Auxiliary); they felt it was a small price to pay to provide kids with a place to go until and enjoy the sport of baseball. Lyle enjoyedworking with youth and realized the importance of getting involved with Little League as volunteers were in short supply. So, in 1987, he began managing a team and continued that until 1994. In 1995, he began coaching and in 1996, he starting umpiring which he has continued doing through this year. He was also part of the board of directors from 1999 until 2012 and this year he was selected to umpire in the state tournament.

He has many fond memories of being involved with Little League including, seeing kids grow from no confidence, to confidence in their abilities, as baseball players, and in life skills that they have used as they have become community leaders. He said a big part of growing as a young person is in both success and failure. Learning how to win and how to lose are both important aspects of growing and maturing. Lyle also cherishes the many people has gotten to know over the years through the sport.

Lyle said he would like people to know that Little League is good for kids because it doesn’t just teach them to play baseball, but it fosters growth in kids which helps them to develop into good members of the community. Looking back on his involvement in Little League, Lyle says really enjoys it and that he wouldn’t change a thing.