Spring registrations in swing for rec department's T-ball, softball [03/27/2009]

By Andrea Osmun

Spring registration is in full swing for the Conway Recreation Department's T-ball and softball programs. Conway recreation director John Eastman announced Tuesday that spring programs will begin in a few weeks.T-ball for 5-year-olds will begin April 27 and take place every Monday through June 1, from 3:30 to 4:10 p.m. on the recreation department's field. When the field is unusable, such as in case of rain, the program will take place in the gym. Eastman said T-ball is a good introduction to recreation programs for a young child. Youngsters 6 and 7 will play T-ball from 3:30 to 4:10 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 28 through June 5. The deadline to sign up for either league is April 17 at 5 p.m. Children must be in either league's age group as of the first day of the program, as stated on the Web site, conwayrec.com. Registration costs $10 to participate in T-ball and includes a T-shirt, Eastman said.Girls' softball will begin this spring with two leagues. A rookie league, for second- and third-grade girls, will provide an introduction to the sport. Players use a pitching machine instead of human pitchers, Eastman said. The rookie league will begin April 16 from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. for first-year players and April 20 from 5 to 6 p.m. for returning players, the Web site said. The program will take place on the field, or if it rains, in the gym. Eastman said the rookie league does not compete for wins or losses, but plays to learn, practice and enjoy the game. The other girls' softball league is for fourth- through sixth-graders. Tryouts, for those not already on a team, will take place April 15 at the recreation department from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Those who already have a team will hear from their coach on the date of the first practice, according to the Web site. Cost to participate in softball is $10, which goes to purchase matching socks and a visor. The deadline is April 13 at 5 p.m. for both softball leagues.Anyone interested in registering for spring recreation programs may stop by the Conway Recreation Department, 1808 East Main Street in Center Conway, and fill out forms, or they may print out a form from the Web site, conwayrec.com, and mail it to the recreation department at 1634 East Main Street, Center Conway, NH 03813.For anyone who cannot afford to pay for a program, Eastman said the department offers scholarships through the Friends of Conway Recreation. Those needing scholarships may speak with Eastman or recreation assistant director Mike Lane. Eastman said financial scholarships are confidential, and no one is ever turned away.Also to bring in the spring season, the recreation department's Easter Egg Hunt is set for April 11 at 10 a.m. for kids ages 1-9. Eastman said the event will take place in "rain, shine, sleet or snow." He recommended that families come early, because the hunt is usually over in about five minutes."We'll hide a couple thousand eggs, sound a horn, and if you're five minutes late, it's over," he said. "It's very popular. It's controlled chaos, but it's fun."The recreation department is now in the midst of several "pre-spring" programs. Lane said Tuesday the recreation department's pond hockey program, which began several weeks ago, has had record participation this year. "This was the biggest year with numbers, just under 80 kids," he said. "We started out with 60."Lane said the Ham Arena has provided the space and equipment for kids to play. Kids who live in Conway, Albany and Eaton are free to play, and kids from other towns may participate for a $25 fee. He said Ham Arena gives kids, whose families might not be able to afford some sports programs, the opportunity to play."We're now in the fifth and final week of the program," he said, adding that 10 kids couldn't skate at the beginning, but there has been much improvement, and now only two players need help skating.The recreation department offers other pre-spring programs for kids who want to continue sports that have ended their seasons. Although basketball is over for the season, Eastman said there is a group of sixth-graders that comes to the recreation department on Sunday afternoons to play. The recreation department has opened the gym to the first 15 kids who come in with a permission slip, Eastman said Wednesday.Also, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4 to 5 p.m., now until April 8, third- through fifth-grade students can pre-register to play basketball before the season begins. Eastman said the program is free and teaches kids the "skills and drills" of the game. Registration will remain open until 20 kids have signed up. Eastman said about 15 kids had signed up as of Wednesday.Eastman reiterated that the Conway Recreation Department does not just offer programs for kids. There are adult and senior citizen programs as well. He said Mondays people come to play scrabble at the recreation department all year long, except for the summer when the summer recreation programs take place there. On Thursdays the recreation department also hosts adult Bingo, and participants bring prizes to share, he said.For more information on the Conway Recreation Department's programs, visit the Web site or call 447-5680.