Sikeston youth baseball and softball signups underway

SIKESTON — The Sikeston Area Youth Baseball and Softball season is quickly approaching, and in-person registration is in full swing.

According to Abbi Lindsey, Sikeston Parks and Recreation coordinator, the first sign-up event occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

“We had around 20 kids that signed up in person the first night,” Lindsey said.

According to Lindsey, the softball and baseball programs are not owned by the city and are run by an organization called the “Sikeston Area Youth Baseball and Softball,” which is made up of a board.

Board President Chris Steward said the board hopes to have at least 45 to 50 children per league.

According to Lindsey, the softball and baseball leagues are open to students in kindergarten through ninth grades.

“Softball is broken down into divisions: kindergarten through second grade (machine pitch league); third grade and fourth grade; fifth grade and sixth grade; and then seventh grade through ninth grade,” Lindsey said. “Baseball is broken down as kindergarten (coach pitch league), first grade and second grade, third grade and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, and then seventh grade through ninth grade.”

Steward also noted children will be assigned to a league based on what grade they are in at the time of signups.

Steward said practices will begin in early April and games will begin in mid-May.

“The regular season games are over by the end of June,” Steward said. 

Games will be played on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Sports Complex.

“Wednesday nights are reserved for make-up games in the event of a rainout,” Steward said. “No games are played on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays.”

According to Lindsey and Steward, the registration fee is $50 if players participate in the raffle ticket fundraiser.

“You can opt-out of the fundraiser by paying an additional $50,” Steward said. 

Lindsey said the cost includes the player’s shirt and hat, all game balls, plus umpire and scorekeeper salaries. 

“Players will need to provide their own helmet, glove, baseball or softball pants and cleats (not metal),” Lindsey said. “Most kids like to bring their own bat, but it’s not required.”

According to Lindsey and Steward, children often share bats with anyone who does not have one.

“So don’t let that keep you from signing your kid up to play,” Steward said.

If interested in being a volunteer coach, assistant coach, paid keeper or umpire, visit the SAYB Facebook page for links to apply or email saybl63801@gmail.com.

Steward said that the pay for scorekeepers and umpires has increased in recent years. 

“You can make money working at the ballpark,” Steward said. “We use base umpires as well as home plate umpires. So if someone isn’t comfortable behind the plate, they can always sign up to just ump the bases.”

According to Lindsey, the rec league is about learning the foundations and fundamentals of the sport. 

“Kids enjoy the league because, while there is competition involved, they have fun because they’re playing with and against their friends,” Lindsey said. “And everyone makes a team, there are no tryouts.”

Steward also noted each youngster receives a league medal for the first, second and third place teams in league play and the league tournament.

Lindsey said the next in-person registrations will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 24 as well as from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27 and Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Clinton Building in Sikeston.