Andy Pendleton high fives players, courtesy of Sandlot League
Mortgage advisor Andy Pendleton loves baseball and softball. He loves playing, watching and —above all — coaching. That’s why he founded Sandlot League, a developmental youth program for children aged 3 to 13.
Pendleton says the focus of Sandlot is simple — to develop kids, build confidence, keep sports fun and create a better youth sports experience for families. After their first season in the spring of 2026, Sandlot was named Best Youth Sports Program in Richardson Life Magazine’s reader poll. The league has caught on among Richardson neighbors so far, but Pendleton is hoping to recruit more participants among his former classmates and friends in Lake Highlands.
Pendleton graduated from LHHS in 2006, and wife Meredith Harrison Pendleton graduated in 2007. He was a standout on the Wildcat baseball team, then he played for East Central University in Oklahoma before coaching travel teams.
“Baseball has done a lot for me,” says Pendleton. “Looking back, my talent didn’t justify how long I played this game. Outside of talent, the game taught me that being a great teammate, knowing your role, competing and continuing to show up matter.”
Pendleton coaching softball
Pendleton says he sees plenty of capable players these days, but he also sees lots of burnout.
“Kids today are more talented and trained than ever, but I’ve also watched too many talented kids fall out of love with baseball before it ever gets really fun. Coaching, confidence, pressure, time, money…there are a lot of reasons. We all have to hang them up someday. I just don’t think kids should have to before they are ready. That’s a big reason I started Sandlot.”
Pendleton says the lessons of baseball and softball reach well beyond the outfield fence.
“The biggest thing is learning how to turn the page,” he says. “You strike out, and five minutes later a ground ball is hit to you. You make an error, and the next pitch might come right your way. Baseball forces you to fail and then asks you to participate again. Life does the same thing. Learning to process a hard moment without carrying that emotion into the next conversation, relationship or opportunity is an incredible skill.”
Pendleton has three children of his own, and he has a rare coaching perspective — his sport isn’t the only sport out there.
“I think we specialize kids way too early. I love baseball and softball, but I don’t think the best way to develop a young baseball or softball player is playing 12 months a year.
“Soccer develops valuable footwork and conditioning. Basketball builds coordination and quick decision-making. Football develops explosiveness and role discipline. Dance and gymnastics build body awareness. Those skills all translate back to baseball and softball, just like baseball and softball skills carry into other sports. Play them all while you can. By high school, the choices may start getting made for you. I’d rather develop the athlete than specialize the player. And, maybe just as importantly, stepping away for a season gives kids a chance to miss the game. Sometimes the best thing we can do to help kids love baseball longer is to let them play something else, too.”
Sandlot is currently enrolling participants for fall ball here. All training sessions practice at St. Paul Catholic Classical School in Richardson. The first games will be played on Saturday, October 3.
Courtesy of Sandlot League
