Baseball season underway with 58 participants

The Hot Springs Recreation Department baseball program started practice last week, with their first session on May 31. There are a total 58 signed up this year, with 17 in the Majors, 17 in the Minors, 18 in Coach Pitch and six in the Start Smart.

Recreation Director Brad Morrison explained Start Smart is for three- to five-year –olds, and involves parents attending one day a week with their kids. Children learn baseball fundamentals such as hitting, throwing and catching.

The first game for the Majors was Tuesday, and a full schedule will be available when it is finalized.

Morrison noted the players are all young, and currently working on the basics. He did not speculate on how the teams look so early in the season.

Morrison and others are looking into how they can help grow the baseball program. He expressed appreciation to Joe Herring, Chris Shoemaker and Reese Owsley for their taking the time to volunteer as coaches.