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Amarillo Youth Sports Leagues Merge, Expand Football and Baseball Options

Developments in local football and a merger of established organizations bring additional structure to youth participation across baseball, softball and football.

By Amarillo Sport Desk · Published July 19, 2026

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This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Amarillo is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

The Iron Plains Youth Football League has launched as a new option for local youth in Amarillo, with founder and president CJ Johnson leading the effort to provide more football choices for participants.

New League Adds Football Options

The Iron Plains Youth Football League operates as a dedicated Amarillo organization focused on youth football. CJ Johnson serves as founder and president of the league, which was established to expand available programs beyond existing offerings in the area.

Merger Unifies Baseball and Softball Programs

Kids, Inc., which began operations in 1945, completed a merger with the Texas Panhandle Youth Sports Foundation. The combined organization now oversees major youth baseball, softball and fastpitch leagues under a single structure, streamlining administration for participating families and teams in Amarillo.

Planned Multi-Sport Facility Supports Growth

Kids, Inc. has announced plans for a $30 million multi-sport athletic complex. The project covers 90 acres south of Loop 335 and includes 60 acres of lighted synthetic turf fields designed to accommodate multiple sports. This development follows the merger and the introduction of the new football league.

These changes occur as Amarillo maintains an active youth sports environment supported by longstanding local organizations. The merger and new league address demand for coordinated programming, while the announced complex aims to increase available field space for practices and games. Participants and families can expect continued league operations through established channels such as Kids, Inc. and the Texas Panhandle Youth Sports Foundation as schedules advance into upcoming seasons.

Details on registration and program access remain available through the respective organizations, allowing families to review options for football, baseball, softball and fastpitch without requiring new infrastructure immediately. The planned complex on the south side of Loop 335 represents a longer-term investment once construction timelines are confirmed.