As the spring months roll around, outside sports are taking center stage and this year is no different. Albany Independent League is moving forward with this year’s baseball and softball program, but it is adding a new twist to the organization.

First year president Chad Arms said the board is moving toward entering the Cal Ripken League.

This past Saturday was the final day for sign-ups and after this week, teams will be put together and coaches will be able to practice before the projected opening day of April 23.

“As of right now, our numbers are still down a little bit,” Arms said. “We are getting close and I’m hoping by the end of the day we will be within probably 15 sign-ups from what we had last year.”

Arms said it has been a struggle in recent years getting the players to come out, however, with last year’s players growing out of the leagues requirement for age, he hopes the new group of kids coming in will fill the void.

“We are still going to have Wee-Ball, T-Ball, we are going to have a live arm girls’ coach pitch, boys’ coach pitch, and we are going to have a 9-10 year old boys’ and 11-12 year old boys’ teams,” Arms said. “Those numbers for the older groups are looking better all the time.”

Arms said in recent years the numbers in the 9-10 and 11-12 year old groups have been falling, but he said there will be games scheduled with Monticello and other leagues in the area to give the kids more games throughout the season.

“A lot of people are worried about traveling two or three nights a week … we are not going to do that,” Arms said. “Especially 11-12 year old boys, we might go to Monticello one night and get them down here one night.”

Arms said Monticello doesn’t have a girls’ softball team in the upper age category, but he said there could be a chance to play some with the Burkesville league. Arms also hopes to schedule games in the boys’ division as well.

“I think it’s going to better the league in the long run,” Arms said. “Maybe we can generate more interest and get the numbers back up. Even if we have enough for two teams in the boys’ division, they don’t need to play each other twice a week.”

The more competition the kids can play against, the more the program will grow according to Arms.

“If we can get Monticello down here on a Monday or Tuesday and then go up there on a Thursday or Friday and we get to play equal amounts of games, then it’s going to be better all around,” Arms said.

Even though the league is moving toward entering the Cal Ripken League, Arms said the board hasn’t completely decided yet whether or not to commit to carrying that brand on the league as of Saturday.

“It’s something the board hasn’t decided on yet,” Arms said. “We are not Albany Independent League any more because we aren’t independent, but odds are it will probably be Albany Cal Ripken.”

As far as running the league and having coaches, Arms said it’s always good to have more volunteers.

“We have several volunteers, but you could always use more,” Arms said. “I’m thinking people are going to step up a little closer to time and I think we will be alright.”

On opening day, Arms said they are going to go with the same lineup as in recent years with the parade line up at 9 a.m. and the parade starting around 10 a.m.

“After we have opening day ceremonies we are going to start playing our games,” Arms said.

Arms said opening day will also be photo day and there will be a photographer at the park for anyone who wants to get kids’ pictures made.

With the final sign-ups already being held, Arms said this upcoming week will be busy for him and the other members of the board.

“This week will be pretty busy,” Arms said. “We will be going through all the players and we will be having the draft Thursday.”

Arms said his first year as president has been good so far. The real challenge will be once the league gets started, trying to juggle his time between all the different categories. In the past, Arms has been one of the many volunteers who has coached a team, but this year he said he isn’t coaching so he can devote more of his time to running the league.

“I like it,” Arms said. “To me, it’s really an honor. I don’t look at it as being president I have full right to do what ever I want. That’s what I have a board behind me for. We talk about everything and we vote on everything. That’s the only way to do it fair. That’s just what I feel. With the president position, we have had them coach in the past, but this year I’m not going to coach. Don’t get me wrong, I love working with these kids and I’m going to miss it, but we are getting some things done this year that everybody wanted to do in the past … I’m not saying that’s because of me, but it’s because we have discussed them and talked about them.”

Arms just wants to see the kids advance, get better and to see the numbers grow.

“I’m not saying its going to grow and be completely better this year, but it will be better in the future,” Arms said. “When it was brought up we knew we probably would see a difference this year, but we are looking to the future. We really think it’s going to work.”

Volunteers worked with parents and players Saturday during the final baseball/softball youth league sign-up event. Chad Arms, who is President of the league this year, is looking forward to the April 23 opening day event and the upcoming seasons.