A local youth league is gearing up for this spring’s upcoming season by giving area children a chance to partake in the action.

Dusty Dady, President of the Maysville Youth League, said their offerings of tee-ball, softball and baseball are a great way for younger children to get out of the house and develop their sporting skills.

With another great season up ahead, Dady said it’s a perfect way to be introduced to the sport while also having a great time.

“It’s phenomenal for the kids,” said Dady. “It gives them better opportunities when they get into high school.”

Students are broken up into a few different categories based upon their age and gender.

• Tee-ball: coed, ages 4-6, coach pitched
• Baseball/Softball: gendered: ages 7-8, coach pitched
• 10U Baseball/Softball: gendered: ages 9-10, fastpitch
• 12U Baseball/Softball: gendered: boys: ages 11-12; girls: ages 11-13, fastpitch

The cost per child is $60, however, students are given raffle tickets, which if sold eliminates any charge to the family.

Tickets to the raffle enter the purchaser into a chance to win one of three prizes, a $500 gift card to Coconis Furniture or one of two $100 cash prizes.

The fundraiser helps with additional costs the league incurs such as recently replacing fencing around some of the fields and purchasing the various sporting equipment needed for players.

Over the winter, Dady explained, all five fields have been installed with brand new drainage systems which should help prevent games from being canceled.

Dady added that traditionally a few hundred students participate and it’s a great way for children to make friends and stay active.

“It means a lot to the kids,” said Dady. “I’ve been doing this for ten years and it’s always great to see them grow, many decide to play in high school. Some of them you can hardly even recognize, but they always remember their youth coaches.”

Signups can be completed at the following locations:

• Newton Fire Department Room 217 (5490 Maysville Pike): February 26, February 27, March 5 and March 6 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Newton Fire Department Room 217 (5490 Maysville Pike): March 9 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• Newton Fire Department Room 217 (5490 Maysville Pike): March 12 and March 13 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Newton Fire Department Room 217 (5490 Maysville Pike): March 16 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• Rapid Fire Equipment (2670 Maysville Pike): Monday through Fridays from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. until Wednesday, March 16.

Parents and guardians are asked to bring correct change or a check if signing up at Rapid Fire Equipment.