Season to start

It’s time to play ball. More than 400 children have signed up to play baseball and 224 girls have signed up for softball.The annual baseball parade is slated for 12 noon Saturday. Games will begin at 1:30 p.m.The parade will begin in the drive in front of the primary school and end at the recreation complex. Dixie Youth 10 and under state champions will be the grand marshals. The Easter Bunny will be a special guest.Opening ceremonies will follow. There will be recognition of teams, coaches, managers and sponsors as well as the ceremonial first pitches for baseball and softball. A fly-over is tentatively planned.There are 30 baseball teams and 19 softball teams. Jack Martin is the Pike County Baseball Association president and Michael Gobble is the Softball Association president.Special activities are planned for the afternoon with a pitch, hit and run contest at 3 p.m.There will be an inflatable space walk, airbrushing for batting helmets starting at 10 a.m. and a cake walk. Barbecue plates will be sold. Concession stands will be open all day.The last game will end around 6 p.m.Martin said the fields ‘are in great shape.’ The recreation department continues to work toward total compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act as it improves the baseball field area restrooms.