By Larry P. Stover

The City of Valley Grande is ready to launch the 2014 baseball season.

There are a few changes from last year. In previous years, the Valley Grande Ministerial Association has given leadership to the program. With the league growing every year, the city is taking on the responsibilities. Adney Taylor is in charge of the program. I will be helping him with administrative duties and details.

This season we will add a Machine Pitch League for boys and girls ages 8-10. The season will be 9 games. The cost will be $50 per participant, which includes the uniform — socks, shirts, pants, belt and cap. The city is excited to offer this next level of play. If players turn 11 after March 1, he or she will not be allowed to participate in this program.

The city will continue to offer Tee Ball for ages 3-5, some younger 6-year-olds may want to participate as well, and Coach Pitch for ages 5-7, younger 8-year-olds may want to participate as well. The cost for these two leagues will be $40, which includes their uniform — cap, shirt, pants, and socks.

Registration will once again be held at Praise Park Ministries Church of the Nazarene, located at the corner of Highway 22 and Big Pine Drive in Valley Grande. The dates for registration will be February 8 and 15 from 9 until 11 a.m. Tryouts for Machine Pitch will be Saturday, February 15 at 1 p.m. at the Valley Grande Sports Complex.

Practices will begin shortly after registration is completed. Regular games will be played beginning on March 15. All games will be played at the Valley Grande sports complex.

Applications are available at Valley Grande City Hall, Taylor Sports in Selma and at Praise Park Ministries Church of the Nazarene in Valley Grande.

The city is planning to add another level of baseball for 11- and 12-year-olds for the 2015 season. It will be player pitch. Girl’s softball is also being considered for future years.

We are looking forward to another great year of baseball.  The City of Valley Grande is working hard to give the children of the community and surrounding areas some exciting activities.

Let’s get our boys and girls involved.  This is an exciting time every year.  Our children need the physical activity and learning the rules of baseball will be great for them as well.

Most of all, it makes life simply beautiful.

For more information, you can contact Adney Taylor at 875-8433 or myself at 874-8041.