Registration for Destin Little League under way

Although it may not feel like baseball weather, it’s almost time to toss out the first pitch to kickoff the Destin Little League Association season.

This past weekend, the league registered about 30 youth.

“That’s about a normal first weekend,” said Amber Hill, league vice president.

“We had about half that many take home paper work to bring back later,” she added.

The league had sign-up tables set up in the foyer of the Destin Community Center on Friday evening and Saturday morning while Youth Basketball was going on in the gym.

The league will be registering youth every Friday and Saturday throughout January at the community center, except for the last weekend.

On Jan. 29 and 30, the league will be registering youth at Dalton Threadgill Little League Park located at 711 Hickory Street off Calhoun Avenue. Registration will be open from 5-8 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Players are also encouraged to register online at www.destinlittleleague.net.

Cost is $75 for the first child and $50 for each additional child. The league has a division of play for children ages 4-12, starting with T-ball, machine pitch baseball, kid pitch baseball, major baseball, machine pitch softball and major softball.

Youth will need to show a copy of their birth certificate as well as three-proofs of residency.

Last year the league registered a little more than 300 youth.

“We’re expecting to be on mark with that this year, but we’re hoping for more,” Hill said.

The last two years, the league has increased by about 30 players.

“I’d be tickled,” Hill said, if that was the case this year.

The last day for regular registration is Jan. 31; however, individuals will be able to register late until Feb. 15 at an additional cost.

Player evaluations will begin in February with the season set to begin March 12.

The opening day parade is set to roll out at 9 a.m. on March 12 from the fields behind Destin Elementary School on Kelly Street.

There will be an all-day fish fry with exhibition games played throughout the day. The day will wrap up with a coaches home-run derby.

First league games are scheduled to begin March 14.

For more information or to register, visit the league website www.destinlittleleague.net