Youth baseball programs starting to get into gear

Registration for this year's baseball programs is underway in Faulkner County, and names are quickly filling the open slots.

Drew Foster is the commissioner of Greenbrier's youth baseball program. Craig Johnston, the program director of the Greenbrier Parks and Recreation Department, turned the program over to Foster five years ago.

"The parents pretty much run this league," Foster said. "We're responsible for the overall organization and taking care of the league. Since he's turned it over, there haven't been many problems."

While the parents are in charge of Greenbrier's league, Conway is headed by the city, under the direction of Clint Brock, Conway's Parks and Recreation program director. Conway participants from the ages of 6-15 can register at Randy's Athletics from noon to 4 p.m. each Saturday in February and until March 2. Those who want to participate in Greenbrier's youth program can go online at greenbrieryouthbaseball.com and register. The final day for that registration will be on Feb. 17.

"The kids get pretty excited about it," Foster said. "When I took over five years ago, I've seen an increase in the number of kids who participate. That first year was about 230 kids, now we have roughly about 320 kids. We have a good group of parents."

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Foster said that a parent committee is in charge of making the hire of the umpires.

"We haven't had too many problems with the umpires," Foster said. "If we do have some problems with them or have too many parents coming to us making complaints about a specific umpire, then we'll make the changes and move on. We just kind of weed them out, or they'll weed themselves out. Mostly we have a good group though."

The age division are broken down starting with the 6-and-under group. The highest division is 16-and-under. Each age division includes two age brackets. Conway's is somewhat similar only the divisions are Buddy, Minor and Major league, along Pony league.

Foster said that the program will open the season on March 28. During last year's opening night, there were special promotions and events. Former Arkansas quarterback Mitch Mustain, who now attends the University Southern California, came out and threw the first pitch.