By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

PELHAM – As the new year is now underway, that means new opportunities are available for parents to sign their children up for Pelham’s upcoming youth baseball and softball leagues.

Registration is now open between now and Sunday, Jan. 26 and there are several different options for parents to register a child.

Registration forms can be found online at Pelhamalabama.gov under the Parks and Recreation section. Forms can be completed online and turned in to the Parks and Recreation office, which is inside the Pelham Recreation Center.

In person registration may also be completed on Saturday, Jan. 11 or Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Pelham Recreation Center. Parents may also call the rec center at 358-0052 to schedule an appointment between Jan. 2 and Jan. 26 to register or go register online from the Pelham youth baseball/softball page on the city’s website.

The registration fee for the first child is $160. This fee will decrease by $10 for each additional child in a family up to three children, so a second child will cost $150 and a third $140. The registration fee includes the uniform, supplemental insurance, equipment replacement, umpires and championship trophies.

Player evaluations for the 2020 season will be Feb. 1 and league age is determined by the age attained by a player prior to May of the current year for baseball and prior to Jan. 1 for softball.

Anyone interested in coaching or assisting a team (including former coaches and assistants), may obtain the volunteer form at the Park and Recreation office. This form must be filled out and turned in prior to Jan. 25 at noon. A background check will be run on all managers and coaches for the safety of children.

For more information, visit Pelhamalabama.gov/244/Youth-Baseball-Softball.