Cornerstone teams with NFL to introduce flag football

Published 10:29 am Wednesday, August 16, 2017

There is more than one way to play the game of football, and that will be the case as Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness in Clanton will host a flag football league this fall.

The league will be a part of the NFL Flag program. It will be the first year that Cornerstone has partnered with the program to begin a league.

Four age divisions will make up the league. They will be broken down into kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades, fourth and fifth grades and sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

According to Barry Baker with Cornerstone, flag football gives an option to parents and kids who want to be around football but are just not ready for the contact side of things.

“It keeps them active and having fun, while learning sportsmanship and how to work together as a team,” Baker said.

Games will be played at the Clanton City Park on Saturday mornings. The final number of teams will determine the start times.

Baker is hoping for at least four teams in each division for the inaugural year.

“A lot of kids are playing other sports, and this is not quite so consuming on their time as regular football would be,” Baker said.

Registration will end Aug. 17 and the cost is $125 per player, but discounts will be available for families with multiple players. Boys and girls are both welcome to sign up.

Those interested in signing up should call Cornerstone at (205) 280-6450.

With the season right around the corner, this weekend is jam-packed with player evaluations on Aug. 19 at the Little League Football field and a draft where the teams are organized on Aug. 20.

Evaluation times will be split up with players in kindergarten through third grade beginning at 9 a.m. and fourth to eighth grades following at 10 a.m.

The season will open Sept. 9 and end Nov. 4.

Baker was able to get in contact with the people in charge of the league in Helena and talked to them about what it takes to manage a league.

“They’ve been a lot of help in steering us in the right direction,” Baker said.

Teams will be given jerseys in the colors and with the logos of NFL teams.

Anybody interested in helping out and volunteering in either a coaching role or as a referee can call Baker at (205) 280-6450 or email barrybaker@cornerstonefittnesswellness.com.