WATERPROOF, La. — When Annie Watson came back home to Waterproof, La. after living in California for a time, she was shocked at the lack of recreational activities available for the town’s youth.

So she set about to change that. And in a little over a month, the fruits of her labor will come about when the town’s Little League baseball and softball program begins.

Watson, along with Lionel Travis, Don Brown and Raymond Campbell, requested a charter for the Little League and recently received one.

Watson said she hopes for the league to begin play on May 26, the Monday after parish schools let out for the summer.

“I recently moved back here from California and was amazed that there aren’t any activities such as sports, music or art here for the children,” Watson said. “I spoke with (Travis, Brown and Campbell) and asked if they could help me to get a Little League going. Everybody has been very helpful.”

Watson said the league will involve three towns in Tensas Parish, Waterproof, Newellton and St. Joseph.

“We wanted to involve all of Tensas Parish in this league,” Watson said. “It is important for children to be involved in activities like this. It helps build their self-esteem and is a disciplinary activity. It will help them in their later years as far as discipline and building relationships with others.”

Watson said the youth in the parish, as well as parents and officials, are very excited about the league.

“The kids are very excited and the parents are too,” she said. “The police chief and offers also told us anything they could do to help they would put in a 100 percent effort.

Watson said she hoped to have enough kids sign up for the league to have nine teams. They are looking into playing their games at either the baseball field behind Lisbon Elementary School or the old football field behind Waterproof High School.

There is another meeting regarding the league at 7 p.m. on April 26. The meeting will take place at the Sky Center on 214 Main St. in Waterproof.

Watson said it is important for the entire parish to support their endeavor.

“We’ve had a lot of help getting this going but we’re looking for more support,” Watson said. “We need the full parish community to partner with us. We’re really enthused.”