For nearly 10 years, Vidalia Little League Softball has focused on serving the needs of children, and this year is no exception.

The league works with girls ages 3 to 18, as well as boys and girls with special needs.

“The whole program is for the kids,” said Greg Young, who is a representative and former president of the league. “We try to have a family-oriented atmosphere. That’s what makes it great.”

Last season, Young said VLLS had just around 500 members. Registration packets for this year are still available and can be picked up until March 31 at Southern Flair in Vidalia.

Cost for ages 3 and 4 is $50, and ages 5 to 18 is $70.

“It keeps growing and growing,” Young said.

While the league has taught the game of softball to hundreds since coming to the Miss-Lou, VLLS’ Challenger League has given specific treatment to children who might not usually get a regular chance to play.

The Challenger League is no cost and fielded four teams last season with around 60 total participants.

Young said he hopes to have even more members this year and will tend to everyone’s needs, no matter the disability. He said the league also feeds the special needs children after every game.

“We do whatever they want to do,” he said. “Some like to hit off a tee, and some like to be pitched to. Most of these kids would normally not even think about playing. It’s a really nice thing to do. You really have to see and experience it to understand.”

League play is set to begin in mid-April, and Young said though it’s great to see everyone participate, there is no shortage of success.

A team from the VLLS’ 15-16 age group has made an appearance in Delaware at the Senior League Softball World Series three of the past four years.

“We have a group we think could go all the way this year,” Young said. “It’s great because they get to learn and adapt to all kinds of things.”