For the first time, Valley Grande will have both baseball and softball as part of its little league program.

Bubba Holley, the recreation director of the city of Valley Grande, said many girls participated last year but played baseball with the boys.

During the offseason, he asked parents whether they’d be interested in a girls softball league and there was a lot of support.

“They were real excited about it,” Holley said.

Valley Grande will have T-ball for boys and girls, coach pitch baseball (boys 6-9), slow pitch softball (girls 6-9), player pitch baseball (boys 9-12) and fast pitch softball (girls 9-12) this year.

The player pitch baseball league is also new. Holley said in past years Valley Grande had tried out machine pitch, but it was not popular.

“I mentioned having kid pitch to try it and see if anyone is interested in that, and I think it’ll be better,” Holley said.

The city of Valley Grande will hold registration for its little league baseball and softball season on Thursday, Feb. 18 and Friday, Feb. 19.

Registration forms are available now at Valley Grande City Hall, but all players are asked to attend the registration day as well so that they can be sized for uniforms. The cost per participant is $45 for T-ball and coach pitch and $50 for player pitch. Those fees cover uniforms, which will include hat, shirt, pants and socks.

Checks should be payable to the city of Valley Grande. Parents will need to fill out a registration form, sign a proof of insurance waiver and bring a copy of their child’s birth certificate, even if the player has participated in the league before.

Practices will begin in early March, Holley said.

Games will be played on Friday nights and Saturday mornings at the Valley Grande Baseball/Softball Complex.

Last year around 100 children participated in the league, but Holley is expecting the number to double this year because of softball.

For more information, contact Holley at 531-1010.