Play Ball! NYS baseball & softball registration

Pitchers and catchers reported to the Rockies’ spring training camp in Scottsdale last week, but local youth did not have to go that far to start warming up for the season. With spring-like weather of late, players, coaches and parents have recently been spotted working out at Niwot’s Lefthand Valley Grange Park as well as the Niwot High School baseball fields.

For local youth, Niwot Youth Sports baseball and softball registration is underway for the 2017 season. NYS is wrapping up the basketball season, and another season of baseball and softball is starting.

Registration is available online at http://www.niwotyouthsports.org, with recreational baseball programs ranging from the T-Ball Bubblegum league (4-5 year-olds) and Rookie League (6-7 year-olds), to the AA coach-pitch League (7-8 year-olds), as well as the player-pitch AAA (9-10 year-olds), Majors (11-12 year-olds) and Seniors (13-14 year-olds) leagues. Registration fees range for $70 for the younger players up to $175 for older players, and scholarships are available based on need.

Recreational softball registration is also underway with programs for the Bubblegum League (T-Ball for 4-6 year-olds), all the way up to 18-year-olds. A modified T-Ball/Coach Pitch League provides an introduction to hitting live pitching for 8U players.

Players pitch in the 10U league, but walks are not permitted as players who receive four balls hit off a tee. Older players in 12U, 14U and 18U leagues play by more traditional softball rules. Fees range from $70 to $160, and scholarships are available based on need. NYS participates in the Indian Peaks Softball Association, with games played locally as well as in nearby communities.

Niwot Youth Sports has been providing organized youth sports programs for players in Niwot, Gunbarrel and South Longmont since 1972. For more information, contact Executive Director Tim Rudden at [email protected].