By RUSSELL JONES
The sign ups for youth league baseball are under way in towns across the county as the recreation departments for towns prepare for spring and summer.
The Brandon Recreation Department deadlines for registration are April 5, for majors baseball, minors softball, minors baseball, and mighty mites. The deadline for T-ball, majors softball, junior youth league and senior league is May 3. Prices for the summer are $35 for residents and $45 for non-residents.
Brandon recreation department divisions are as follows:
- T-ball – grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.
- Mighty Mites – grades 1 and 2, practices two days a week (Tue/Thu). Games are played atNeshobe, Leicester, Whiting, Pittsford and Proctor.
- Minor League Baseball – grades 3 and 4 practices two days a week (Tue/Thu), Games are played at Neshobe, Pittsford, Rutland Town, Rutland City, Wallingford, West Rutland, Castleton, Proctor and Barstow.
- Major League Baseball – grades 5 and 6, practices two or three days a week (Mon/Wed/Fri). Games are played at Neshobe, Pittsford, Rutland Town, Rutland City, Wallingford, West Rutland, Castleton, Proctor and Barstow.
- Minor League Softball – grades 3 to 6, practices two or three days a week (Tue/Thu/Fri). Games are played at Estabrook Field in Brandon, Pittsford, Rutland Town, Rutland City, Wallingford, West Rutland, Castleton, Proctor, Poultney, Benson/Orwell and Barstow.
- Major League Softball – girls must be age 11 and cannot be 16 by Aug. 1.
- Junior youth league baseball – must be age 13 and cannot be 16 by May 1.
- Senior youth league – at least age 16 and must not be 19 by May 1.
- Senior softball league – at least age 16 and must not be 19 by May 1.
Proctor
Sign ups for Proctor Youth League are held at the Proctor Free Library. This includes T-ball, mighty mites, minors, majors and softball. Interested parents can sign their child up on Wednesday, March 20 between 6 and 8 p.m.
The volunteer-run youth baseball program operates during the summer at the fields located on Elm Street. Programs offered include:
- T-Ball for ages 5-6
- Mighty Mites for ages 7-8
- Minors for ages 9-10
- Majors for ages 11-12
- Minors Softball for ages 9-11
- Majors Softball for ages12-14.
The playing seasons start in May and last for six to ten weeks. The Proctor Youth League hosts a majors baseball All-star Tournament each year starting the second weekend in July. This tournament is open to any team that wishes to compete, although players must provide proof of age.
Pittsford
In Pittsford, the last day to register for T-Ball, mighty mites, minor and major league baseball, and minor softball is Friday, March 29.
For major and senior softball, and junior and senior youth league (Babe Ruth), last day to register is Friday, May 3.
Pittsford breaks their divisions down by grades rather than ages.
- T-ball – grades Pre-K through Kindergarten
- Mighty Mites – grades 1 and 2
- Minor League Baseball – grades 3 and 4
- Major League Baseball – grades 5 and 6
- Minor League Softball – grades 3 to 6, but girls must be 9 years old by Aug. 1
- Major League Softball – grades 6 to 8, but girls must be 12 and cannot be 15 by Aug. 1
- Junior youth league baseball – ages 13 to 15
- Senior youth league – ages 16 to 18
- Senior softball league – ages 15 to 18.
All leagues are six to eight weeks long. More information can be found at the Pittsford Rec. Department.
