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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – With the holiday season coming to a close and the dawn of 2025 imminent, many families in Pelham are turning their attention to an important facet of their children’s spring plans: youth sports.

Youth sports registration is now open for the upcoming spring seasons of baseball, softball, T-ball and soccer. The registration window for all of these sports closes on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Youth baseball is for boys ages 5-12. The season will run from mid-February to mid-May. The games for youth baseball will be held during weekdays against teams from Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Columbiana, Helena and Montevallo. Practices will begin in mid-February, with two preseason practices per week until the season kicks off in mid-March.

The cost for registration for youth baseball is $175. Jerseys will be provided, but parents will need to provide cleats, a glove, a bat and a batting helmet.

Youth softball is for participants in the 5-12 age range. Registration costs $175. The season will run from mid-February to mid-May. The sport will be sanctioned with USA Softball for the 2025 season.

The softball team holds the same schedule and opponents as the baseball team. Uniforms will be provided. Parents will have to supply cleats, a glove, a bat, a fielding mask and a caged batting helmet.

The age range for T-ball is different from baseball and softball. It is only open for four and five year olds, and is co-ed. The registration price is $100.

“T-ball is the perfect introduction to baseball and softball for young players,” read a statement from the Pelham Parks and Rec website. “Our instructional program, newly partnered with the Start Smart Development Program, helps children develop the primary skills of hitting, running, fielding and throwing in a fun and active environment. Players begin to learn the basic rules of the game while also building self-esteem and learning sportsmanship and teamwork.”

Parents will have to purchase a metal T-ball bat and batting helmet. The season, like baseball and softball, will run from mid-February to mid-May. However, the league will only consist of teams from the Pelham area.

Finally, the Pelham youth soccer league is co-ed, with an Under 6 and Under 8 league. Registration for each league costs $100 and the league will run from mid-February to mid-May. There is also a third through sixth grade division, which costs $110 to register for.

Jared Thornton, a recreation coordinator with Pelham Parks and Rec, gave his thoughts on the importance of Pelham youth athletics.

“Pelham Youth Sports programs are special because of the great people we have in our community that get involved,” Thornton said. “Our volunteers that step up truly go above and beyond to make sure our kids have a great experience in the program they participate in. We are blessed to have parents that care a lot about providing an excellent experience for children in our community. We have a family atmosphere in our Parks and Rec community that just can’t be matched by another city.”

Thornton also emphasized that the relationships made during the youth sports programs drive their importance.

“It is important for kids to participate in youth sports because of the social bonds they make with other kids,” Thornton said. “Most kids will find their best friend playing youth sports. However, sports not only create relationships with people, but teaches the foundations of work ethic, discipline and so many other attributes that make up a great human. Spring sports are great, but we think youth sports are important no matter what time of year you play.”

Charlie Sanders, who serves with Thornton as a recreation coordinator for Pelham Parks and Rec, added some important logistics for youth sports, including if a child wants to play multiple sports.

“There is a fee of $10 per child for any parent with more than one child who wishes to play a sport in the same season, and it does not have to be the same sport to receive the discount, as long as they are registered at the same time,” Sanders said.

Sanders provided information on what happens when children are put on each sport’s waitlist.

“After registration, we create a waitlist for all our programs, but we always try to accommodate and allow for everyone to participate if possible,” Sanders said. “Late additions depend on several factors including the appropriate number of players per team for a particular age/sport, and if adding one single player would give any team an unfair advantage over other teams or not. It is a very thoughtful process with lots to consider, so we encourage everyone to pay attention to registration deadlines as best they can.”

Sanders, like Thornton, emphasized the importance of youth sports through the bonds made on and off the field.

“Recreational youth sports are not only an important experience for players, but also an entire family”, Sanders said. “A night at the gym or ballpark is a great way to meet new people, build relationships, and develop a community in your community. Kids not only learn sports, but teamwork, sacrifice, dedication and other life lessons as well. Youth sports can also give many participants and their families a break from the stresses of school or work. Really the whole community gets to ‘leave it all out there on the field,’ and if this is done with a positive mindset, it can build an even greater sense of community. We are proud to offer these opportunities for our Pelham community members to come together.”

Pelham Parks and Recreation is offering a breadth of opportunities for Pelham youth of all ages to get active and participate in youth sports in the spring of 2025. And, for parents on the fence, Sanders offered some words of advice.

“It an never hurt to try a new thing, especially a new youth sport,” Sanders said. “We understand that there can be various concerns for many parents, but we have seen so many genuinely positive experiences for kids season after season. It’s a risk most parents don’t regret taking. Even if a season doesn’t go the way you envisioned, there is always something to take away from your experience participating in a youth sports program.”

To find out more about each sport’s registration and general info, visit the Pelham Parks and Rec’s website at Pelhamparksandrec.com.