Clanton Youth Baseball signups are a sign that spring is not far around the corner.

The signups began Jan. 21 and will also be held each of the next three Saturdays on Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to noon in the press box at the boys field. A registration fee of $125 will provide for a uniform, which will shirt, pants, belt and hat.

Children ages 4-12 with the cutoff date for those ages set for April 30. Every child must be younger than four or older than 12, prior to the deadline.

Traci Terrell has been heavily involved with the organization, as president over the past three years.

“Our numbers continue to go up and the talent has risen with each age group,” Terrell said.

According to Terrell, ages 4-6 used to be lumped together, but now have separated themselves as separate classifications.

The Clanton Dizzy Dean league is broken up into five age groups with 4-year old tee ball as the earliest form of competition.

“At that level the focus is strictly on teaching fundamentals,” Terrell said. “The skills that they will need to know down the road.”

Coaches pitch for ages 5-8, while kids have the opportunity to take the mound from ages 9-12.

Last year Clanton’s Middle School team had more of presence then in recent years.

“It allows our players a glance at what the future looks like beyond league ball,” Terrell said.

Opening day of the 2017 season is scheduled for March 18 and will end around the end of May.

“They’re not only creating a love of baseball, but it can also be quite an uplifting experience,” Terrell said. “I’m all for team sports and the social environment that it is.”

The Clanton Girls Softball League has also begun accepting signups for its upcoming season and will continue until Feb. 10.

Girls must be 12 years old or younger to compete and registration can be found at Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness.