Area boys and girls who wish to play Dixie baseball or softball this spring should be wary:

Deadline for registration to participate in those sports is Sunday, March 20, according to Luverne Parks and Recreation Director Merrill Sport.

"Everyone must register," said Sport, who took over the job prior to Christmas of last year. "These are all new leagues and all new teams."

Sport said tryouts and the draft would be held on April 2 at Turner Park. Ages 9-10 will start at 9 a.m., with ages 11-12 starting at 2 p.m. The tryouts are for both boys and girls. Fees are $20 for girls and $25 for boys and the registration fee, along with correct uniform sizes, will be collected on draft day.

Opening day is scheduled for Saturday, April 23 at 8:30 a.m.

Along with a new website that Sport keeps updated daily, he also offers Luverne's parents a number of different ways to register their child this year.

"Parents and kids can come by the park to register, call us at 335-3103 or fax the information to 335-2206," said Sport. "They can also email the information to me (merrillsport@troycable.net)."

Sport has also enlisted area schools to help spread the parks department's information. He delivers registration forms to the homeroom teachers who then pass those forms along to their students.

"The schools are a blessing," he said. "They help me out whenever I ask them to. With us being a small town someone like me really has to rely on the schools as a place to get the word out."

For children ages 7-8, the tryout and draft will be on May 7. Pre-registration for this league ends on April 30 at 5 p.m.

Tee-ball's opening day is May 21 at 9 a.m. Always popular among both children and adults, Sport said he plans to limit the team numbers on tee-ball this year to around "10 or 12" per squad.

"We welcome as many teams as possible," he said "We want to make tee-ball a neighborhood and family affair with more emphasis put on learning baseball and softball."

Pre-registration starts on April 4 for tee-ball and ends on May 6.

If emailing or faxing information, Sport said he needs the name of the child participating, if the child is a boy or girl, the child's age and his or her birthday to register them in a league.

Sport said the parks and recreation department also plans on offering adult softball leagues this summer as well.

"It's something we haven't had around here in awhile and it's time we brought it back," he said.

Sport is currently looking at fielding softball teams in men's, church and co-ed leagues.

"The church league will be a true church and recreational league for church families and friends," he said.

Cost to field a team is $275. Registration deadline is Sunday, April 9 and play should begin the week of April 25.

The games will be played at Persons Park.