Registration ending soon for fall Madison Ridgeland Youth Sports
Registration is underway for the Madison Ridgeland Youth Club’s upcoming fall baseball and football leagues.
Peggi Rafferty, league administrator for the club, said the program's goal is to develop players by giving them self-confidence and an opportunity to make friends.
“Our league aims to be very positive while trying to provide children with extracurricular outlets to learn to be part of a team,” Rafferty said. “In these leagues, it’s not about winning or losing. It’s about developing the player and a chance for kids to experience comradery between teammates and make new friends.”
Registration for the baseball league runs until Aug. 31, and registration for the football league runs until Aug. 26.
The baseball league is open to children between the ages of 3 and 18 and split into eight groups: 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, kindergartners, first and second grade, third and fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade, and ninth through 12th grade.
“Our baseball league will play six games in Madison and Ridgeland,” Rafferty said. “We are so grateful for the support from both cities and for them allowing us to use their facilities, which are Liberty Park in Madison, and Hite Wolcott and Freedom Ridge in Ridgeland.”
Austin Cooley of Madison, whose son Jackson Cooley has played in the baseball league for three years, said he’s thoroughly enjoyed working with the kids and his son.
“It’s great seeing how much fun they have learned and playing the game of baseball,” Cooley said. “Watching their skills grow and develop throughout the season is very rewarding.”
Sara Sahler of Madison, whose son Gregory Sahler has played in the baseball league for four years, said she has a fun time watching her son play in the league.
“It’s a great experience and is always a fun time,” Sahler said. “I recommend signing your child up. We are looking forward to the fall ball.”
The football league is open to children in third to seventh grade and split into three groups: third grade, fourth and fifth grade, and seventh grade.
Rafferty said this league will also play six games, with an additional playoff and championship game, with the championship taking place on the week before Thanksgiving.
“We’ve formed a league with the Northwest Rankin Association to give the kids some different opponents to play against,” Rafferty said. “Madison games will be at Liberty Park, and Northwest Rankin games will be played at Northwest Rankin Athletic Association Soccer Complex right off Spillway Road in Flowood.”
Rafferty said the football league has the same philosophy as the baseball league.
“Our purpose with football is to allow our players to see if they enjoy the sport before they go off to play for their middle school and high school,” she said. “This can be a way for them to learn the sport away from school in a more relaxed environment.”
For more information and to register for the Madison Ridgeland Youth Club baseball league, visit their website at http://mryouthbaseball.website.sportssignup.com/, and visit http://mryctacklefootball.website.sportssignup.com/ to register for the football league.