AHOSKIE – Registration for the 2013 youth baseball/softball season is currently under way at the Ahoskie Parks and Recreation Department.

According to Parks & Rec Director Tina Pritchard, 2013 will mark the start of a new era of youth baseball/softball competition in Ahoskie. Through the work of a planning committee, the town will offer the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken program.

“This will provide our league with some much needed structure and direction,” Pritchard said. “This change allows us to expand our boundaries to reach more players, which will help our league grow. The Babe Ruth program also provides our players and coaches with insurance and possibly a longer tournament trail.”

Pritchard said information packets on this new program are available to the parents of players. They can be picked up at the Town Gym on Main Street.

Youngsters interested in participating in Ahoskie baseball/softball are encouraged to sign-up now at the Town Gym. The cost is $45 for those living inside Ahoskie’s town limits or $55 for those residing out of town. The registration deadline is March 7.

As part of this program, all coaches not certified by the Babe Ruth organization are required to takes a coach’s clinic and online test before they can coach. That clinic is scheduled for this week (Feb. 18-23) at the old Ahoskie High School Band Room, located on Main Street adjacent to the Ahoskie Police Department.

League coaches will gather on March 9 (10 a.m. – 12 noon) for Player Rating Day. Draft Day is March 12 at 6 p.m.

Opening Day for Ahoskie’s 2013 baseball/softball season begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 at the Ahoskie Creek Recreation Complex. That event formally introduces all teams and also includes a Pitch, Hit & Run competition and Home Run Derby.

The regular season begins on Monday, April 8.

An Invitational Tournament is scheduled for June 20-23.

For more information, contact Pritchard, Joan Godwin or Brittney Baird at 332-4811.