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By Griffin Pritchard

Despite the air being brisk and nippy, it's almost time to start gearing up for America's favorite pastime. Registration for baseball and softball began Tuesday and will run through Feb. 18.

People interested in registering can sign up at the Greenville Parks and Recreation office during the week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and then this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Last year, we had over 50 teams," said Jerome Harris, director of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department. "Last year the 9-10 girls and the 9-10 boys were the biggest leagues we had, they both had six teams each."

The cost to register is $20 for one person, $30 for two and then $40 for three or more. The registration fee covers the child's team t-shirt and a team hat.

"We're expecting a lot come back and play this year," said Harris. "Our registration increased 20 percent last year. The kids just went booming. Girls softball boomed too."

The leagues will play at one of four different facilities. All the girls will play at the softball complex across from the high school. The 9-10 and 11-12 year old age groups will play their games at Day Park. The 13-14's and 15-18's will play at Beeland Park and lastly, the T-ball teams and the 7-8 year olds will play at Dunbar Park.

"I think it's good for kids to play summer baseball," said Harris. "I think the kids are playing because the parents played and it's become like a tradition. I think a lot of them play too for the physical fitness of it. Baseball is America's pastime and kids play baseball and softball."

More than anything, Harris is surprised at the growth of the softball program.

"I really was surprised at the success when we made the transition from slowpitch to fastpitch," said Harris. "A lot of girls didn't think that they would be able to play fast pitch. Then after watching for a year, they decided they could and now, I'm hearing a lot of girls saying that they are going to come out and play so I'm looking for a bigger increase this year as well."

If anyone has any questions, they can contact the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department at 382-3031.