Ryan Soeteber winds up for catcher Dillon Rooney during little league tryouts Saturday afternoon. The league is still seeking members to participate, particularly students for the seniors team.
The forecast for this spring: sunshine, followed by small children on pitchers' mounds.
The Little League season unofficially opened this weekend with an open tryout session in the community gym. About 65 kids signed up for the perennial summer baseball league, which features travel to Petersburg.
Practices will be held for the next three weeks. Opening ceremonies for the season will be held April 26.
The league is structured into four categories, according to Brennan Eagle, who is among the adult volunteers that clean diamonds, coach, and help ferry equipment and master curveballs every season. Major league teams are for children aged 10 to 12 years old. Minor league teams are for children aged 7 to 9 years old. Tee ball teams are for children five and six years old. Senior teams are for children between the ages of 13 and 16 though the league retains some flexibility, Eagle said.
"Right now we've got two major teams and two minor teams and three tee ball teams," he said. "That will probably grow."
Recruitment for the remainder of the year is focused on the senior teams, which currently have only enough people to play one team. If the league can get 18 members signed up, they'll be able to conduct weekly home games.
The seniors currently meet for practice at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Caleb Groshong, 14 and nearly a head taller than the other players who gathered at Volunteer Park, is nearing the end of his tenure in the league. An early participant, he was swinging at tosses from pitching machines when other children were hitting the ball off the tee. He'll play catch even in the winter to keep his arm in shape, and seeks out books on the subject.
"It's always one of my priorities," he said. "I'm better at baseball than basketball. I learn something new with baseball every year."
He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning against Petersburg, before tiring and being relieved. A St. Louis Cardinals fan, he was too busy with practice Monday to track the scores of his favorite team. He likes to pitch, though he's big enough to make a good first baseman.
"Last year was my first year on this field," he said. "Me and my buddy, Dawson Miller. He hit it out of the park one day and I hit it out on the following day."
He's working up to an 80-mile-per-hour fastball for high school.
Volunteers plan to hold a skills camp this weekend with coaches traveling up from Reno, Nev.
For others, baseball is simply fun.
"I usually play first or short stop," said seventh-grader Riley Blatchley.
Riley has played almost as long as Caleb. He also likes to play first base.
"You get more action" at first base, he said. "The ball always comes to you."
He also started in tee ball, and was happy to be outside.
"It's usually a lot colder," he said.
Prospective players must register before participating in Little League. Applications are available at Evergreen Elementary School, but must be returned to Jen Weiderspohn. Parents or players with questions can contact Weiderspohn at 305-0164.
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