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Little League Hosts Registration

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: January 28, 2009

GIBSONTON - Time is almost up for any young sluggers interested in playing ball for one South Shore organization this spring.

East Bay Little League will host its final on-site registration today at Vance Vogel Park, 13012 Bullfrog Creek Road, where league players take the field. It's also the last day baseball and softball players may register online.

"We're hoping to have more than 700 players this season, so we've been really trying to step up our efforts the last couple of weeks," said registration director Nicole Lynch.

The league also hosted an on-site registration Jan. 24 at its home ballpark for the spring season. Opening day festivities will be Feb. 28.

"Opening day is usually a really big thing for the kids and the parents," Lynch said. "We're hoping to have a few Tampa Bay Rays players come out that day."

The league was founded in 1971 by south Hillsborough County residents and has averaged between 700 and 800 players each season. Its baseball players are ages 5 to 16, and softball players are between age 6 and 16.

The league's boundaries extend from the Alafia River to the Hillsborough-Mantee county line and from the Hillsborough Bay to Bell Shoals Road.

A birth certificate and three documents proving residency are required at the time of registration.

The league will host a week of tryouts for registered players between ages 8 and 16 starting Saturday. The tryouts will help determine team alignments for the players.

The league will also host its first East Bay Little League Golf Scramble Feb. 21 at the Summerfield Crossings Golf Club, 13050 Summerfield Blvd., Riverview. The event will benefit league teams and players.

"We're like a lot of youth leagues out there in that we depend a lot on volunteers and sponsors, and there are plenty of sponsorship opportunities available in this league," Lynch said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: East Bay Little League registration for spring season

WHERE: Vance Vogel Park, 13012 Bullfrog Creek Road, Gibsonton
WHEN: 6 to 8 tonight

COST: $90 for tee ball; $135 for baseball and softball; sibling discounts are available

INFORMATION: (813) 677-2772 or visit www.east bayll.org

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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