By TIM GUERCIO

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Registration is underway through March 16 in Natchez for Dixie Youth Baseball.

Danny Brown, vice president of Dixie Youth Baseball, said sign up is at the Sports Center, 305 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive, Natchez, where registration forms are available.

Age groups are 5 to 6 year olds, 7 to 8 year olds, 9 to 10 year olds and 11 to 12 year olds. 

The 5-to-6-year-old league will be a coach-pitch league, like last year, Brown said.

Registration fees will be $85 and will cover the cost of the players’ jerseys and caps, Brown said.

Brown said he has been involved with Dixie Youth Baseball for 18 years, working closely with president Angie Hollowell.

“Each year I do this for the love of the game of baseball,” Brown said. “I love college ball, and I love pro ball but I love this ball better.”

Brown said he also has been head of umpires for 10 years and commissioner of the 7-to-8-year-old league for 10 years as well.

Tryouts will be as follows: March 18 for 5 to 6 year olds at Ballew-Bowlin field. Also on March 18, the 7-to-8-year-old league tryouts will be at Carroll-Jones field.

March 19 tryouts will be held for 9 to 10 year olds and 11 to 12 year olds both at Carroll-Jones field.

The season officially begins at 10 a.m. April 6 with opening ceremonies at Carroll-Jones field.

“We will have a dunking booth, a snow cone stand and will raffle off prizes,” Brown said.

Tickets for the raffle are $2 apiece with $8,000 in prizes given away last year.