Niwot Youth Sports opens baseball registration

Spring is right around the corner, and Niwot Youth Sports is gearing up for its 51st season of fun and friendly competition on the diamond. Early-bird registration for recreational baseball is now underway at http://www.niwotyouthsports.org. Softball registration will open on Feb. 1.

NYS Baseball is offering six divisions again this season; Bubblegum (T-ball for ages 4-5), Rookie (coach pitch/T-ball hybrid for ages 5-6), AA (coach pitch for ages 7-8), AAA (kid pitch for ages 9-10), Majors (kid pitch for ages 10-12) and Seniors (kid pitch for ages 13-14). Practices will begin in early April, with games starting after an opening day kickoff celebration on May 3.

"Dinger, the Colorado Rockies mascot, will be back for the second straight year," Scheidenhelm said. "This is a huge event for us and a major fundraiser for the permanent building and bathrooms we are trying to build at [Hangge Fields at] Monarch."

The organization is also expanding its offering of instructional clinics this season

NYS is bringing back its coaching and pitching clinics-the latter led by former Niwot High pitching coach and NYS alum Roger Fisher-and will be adding three skills clinics throughout the season. For Players in AAA and Majors division, there will be a week-long summer baseball camp with current Cougar head coach Adam Strah and members of the varsity lineup.

"I'm thrilled to be expanding the clinics to give our players more opportunities for skill development," Scheidenhelm said.

The organization will also be hosting another NYS Day at the Rockies fundraiser on June 20. Participating players will get the opportunity to walk around the Coors Field warning track prior to Colorado's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and could also earn a return trip.

"We are also opening up our Niwot Youth Sports Day at the Rockies ticket sales for players to sell to their friends and families," Scheidenhelm said. "If we sell over 1000 tickets, the top two referring players will win four tickets each to a suite for a Rockies game."

Scheidenhelm encouraged families to register before the early-bird window closes on Feb. 29, and not just because it will cost less. He said the league attempts to honor coach and teammate requests for the youngest players, but only on a first-come, first-served basis. AAA and Majors teams will be formed by draft after player evaluations in March.

"Some teams fill up in the first week, so registering early is pretty important for our AA, Rookie and Bubblegum leagues," he said. "For our older kids in AAA & Majors, some of the skills clinics will be held before practices start, so registering early will unlock access to these clinics."

Scheidenhelm added that NYS is seeking high school-aged kids to umpire. "We pay competitive rates and provide an umpire training in mid-April for all interested."

The league is also seeking volunteer coaches, team parents, and other assistance. For more information, visit http://www.niwotyouthsports.org or contact Scheidenhelm at [email protected].