History

1967

In November of 1967, the land for Wills Park was purchased from Q. A. Wills by Fulton County.

1968

Wills Park was constructed by Fulton County on land sold to the county by Q.A. Wills. Wills was the Mayor of Alpharetta and lived across the street from the current park. The athletic fields were what is now known as Fields 1, 2, 3 and 4. Field 1 and 2 combined also served as a football field during the fall. There was no fence separating Fields 1 and 2. The small storage building between Field 1 and 4 also served as the concession stand. The current two story building did not exist.

The baseball program was created by the City of Alpharetta Mayor and Council. City Councilman Charles Rainwater was responsible for the operation of the league. The league was not sanctioned with any organization. There was no tee-ball. Players pitched in all age groups. There was no draft. Coaches recruited their own teams.

1971

Began drafting teams.

1974

Wills Park Youth Baseball Association was formed and sanctioned with Dixie Youth Baseball. James Densmore was the President/Commissioner. Carroll Shirley was the Secretary. Buddy Stovall was the Treasurer. City of Alpharetta drug and lined the fields. Fulton County owned the park and provided the lights. WPYBA ran the program.

1975

The softball program was started.

1977

Buddy Stovall was President/Commissioner.

1979

Jerry Holmes was the President/Commissioner.

1982

Flagpole and marker outside Field 4 center field fence dedicated to Charles Rainwater.

1985

Roger Holcomb was President/Commissioner.

1994

Started travel baseball program. Changed sanctioning from Dixie Youth Baseball to Dizzy Dean Baseball.

1995

Wills Park was purchased from Fulton County by the City of Alpharetta in 1995 and took possession of the park on January 1, 1996. Began separate registration opportunity for City of Alpharetta residents.

1997

Started using the voice mail box for communication to coaches.

1998

Established the www.wpyba.org domain name. Various persons had provided websites for the league before this. Wills Park hosted its first travel baseball tournament during Spring Break. It was for 14 and 13 year old teams.

1999

Created Travel Supplement for the WPYBA Rulebook. Hosted three travel baseball tournaments, including two qualifying tournaments.

2006

New, improved lower concession stand. Ditto for the web site.