As it celebrates its 50th year of service to Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and the surrounding areas, the Howard Palmetto Baseball-Softball Association opens registration for the 2012 fall season.
Started five years ago as a prelude to the winter season, the fall program is geared to allow improvement and participation in an atmosphere that is less time consuming and more relaxed than the regular season. Baseball games are played in three age groups, from those beginning fifth grade to those in high school. The games are all played at Chapman Field Park during the week (no weekends), two games per week, time limit, with no required practices. Teams are limited to 11 players to allow for greater participation. All players must be in the batting order, and cannot sit on the bench when a team is fielding for two innings in a row. Pitching is limited to two innings per pitcher per game to allow development of a greater number of players.
Softball will be conducted in three age groups — 8 and under, 9 through 11, and 12 and over.
Space is limited due to limited available lighted fields in the fall. The season will begin after Labor Day and end prior to Thanksgiving, with a regular season of 14 games with no playoffs. In keeping with the instructional goal of the season, no standings are kept and no champion is named. The cost is $175 and a full uniform is included.
Players must provide their glove, bat, helmet and cleats (no metal allowed). Fall Ball is designed to provide a positive baseball and softball program without a large time commitment during the fall.
For more information on baseball, call 305-332-8567 or email rhingston@welbaum.com; on softball, call 305-238-5850.
