SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake Youth Baseball and Softball Association recently announced that registration is now open for the 2022 season.

Parents and guardians can register their kids for T-ball, rookie, and majors and minors softball and baseball at www.slybsa.org.

Those interested are encouraged to complete registration as soon as possible so that team rosters can be created and hats and shirts can be ordered. Registration will close April 30.

Registration cost is the same as last year at $50 per player, with discounts available for families registering more than one player. Financial assistance is available if requested.

The SLYBSA will offer play at the following levels (Note: ages are as of April 30, grades as of the 21-22 school year):

T-ball: boys and girls ages 5 and 6

Rookie: boys and girls ages 7 and 8

Minors Baseball: boys ages 9 and 10

Majors Baseball: boys ages 11 and 12

Minors Softball: girls in grades 3, 4 and 5

Majors Softball: girls in grades 6, 7 and 8

The association plans to begin play in early-to-mid May, likely starting with weekend clinics and practices due to limited field availability. Once the school district’s spring sports season wraps up and field availability improves, most practices and games will take place weekday evenings as in years past. T-ball, rookie and softball seasons typically run until the last week of June, with minors and majors baseball playing until the last week of July at the latest.

Umpires, sponsors needed

Each year, the SLYBSA takes pride in teaching the sports of baseball and softball to local kids, but it wouldn’t be possible without coaches, umpires and board members, along with the support of sponsors.

The association is seeking umpires, particularly adult or young adult umpires with a strong knowledge of the game. The association increased its stipends for umpires this season to $40 behind the plate and $30 for bases for majors games, and $30 behind the plate and $20 for bases, for minors games.

If you are interested in becoming an SLYBSA umpire, please contact Chris Knight at cknight27@yahoo.com or 518-637-5814.

Businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring a team or making a donation to help purchase equipment for the season can contact Mark Gillis at 518-354-2766 or blbbrewery@gmail.com.