Little Leaguers sign up for new season
Twelve-year-old Kyle Powell gripped a Louisville Slugger in his left hand as he stood proud and tall next to his father, Billy Powell, who was registering his son for spring baseball.
Emilio Decarvalho, 3, (left) waits next to his brother, Noah, 6, as their mother, Kelly Decarvalho, registers Noah for the Martinez-Evans Little League at Putt-Putt Golf and Games in Martinez.
Photo by Quandra Collins
"I thought I would get some batting practice in today," said Kyle, a Martinez resident and a first baseman who was eager to get in the batting cage on Saturday morning at Putt-Putt Golf and Games in Martinez.
"I enjoy baseball. It's fun."
Kyle's father agreed.
"I enjoy watching my son play," he said with a smile.
"I'm looking forward to him hitting a lot of home runs."
On Saturday morning, more than 30 players registered for the Martinez-Evans Little League 2005 Baseball Season. The sign-up, which was held at Putt-Putt, located at 3763 Martinez Blvd., is one of three registrations the league will hold.
Additional sign-ups will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Jan. 29. Boys 5 to 15 years old by Aug. 1 are qualified to register, and first-time players need to present a birth certificate.
Greg Smith, the registrar coordinator, said he expected 200 to 300 players to sign up Saturday.
"Our league has 800 to 900 kids every year,'' he said, adding that the league also has adult and parent volunteers who serve in capacities such as coaching, on an advisory board and maintenance on the field.
The official season will begin the final week in March, but Smith said baseball teams other than T-ball are set to begin in April, right after spring break. All games are slated to end the first week in June.
Jacob Wright, 11, whose mother, Linda Wright, signed him up for the major-league division, said he's looking forward to playing with the league for the third season in a row.
"I can't wait to be with my team and have fun," said Jacob, who said his positions are shortstop and pitcher.