Although we have just begun to experience our usual winter arctic freeze, it is already time to begin thinking about spring. Thoughts of spring warm our insides as we dream about spending long hours outside enjoying the fresh air. Taking in a Maryland City Recreation Council youth baseball or soccer game provides us a great opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and encourages us to get out and be active with our kids as well. In order to start baseball and soccer season, MCRC needs players to register right away. Soccer season for ages 7 and over begins as soon as the snow melts at the beginning of March and teams have to be set with the county by early February; therefore, registration will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22 and Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Brock Bridge Elementary School. Registration for baseball season (ages 4 and up) and the mini-kicks soccer program (ages 3-6) also occurs on the same dates with the season beginning in April.
Special congratulations to three teams from the fall season. The U9 boys team, coached by Devin Poland and Josh Buell, won the U9 boys division for the Anne Arundel Youth Soccer Association. Players included Bryan Lopez, Joseph Jacques, Knolin Walker, Richard Joseph Ramirez, Seth Williams, Tristan Alejandro Nandayapa, Christian Berrios-Ramirez, Jason Pantaleon, Michael Ramirez and Timothy Everett Sanders. The U11 boys team, coached by Will Kendrick and Jim Watters, finished second in Division 1 for the Anne Arundel Youth Soccer Association. Players included Joshua Watters, Hamilton Rubio, Nathan Harley, JJ Pillart, Michael Venit, David Chaney, William Kendrick, Jonathan Castillo-Hercules, Myles Bright, Alex Casey, Daunte Inman, Jalen Johnson, Amaro Villa, Dylan Long and Eric Mical. The U8 girls team, coached by Tartasha Harris, tied for second place in Division 2 for the Anne Arundel Youth Soccer Association. Players included Madeleine Eng-Nguyen, Jordan Bill, Kadijatu Kargbo, Juliana Rios, Viviana Abalama, Aleesa Alarcon, Nia Ragin, Nadia Ragin, Zipporah Lindsey, Dylann Corley and Nekyla Nkele-Mbai.
The MCRC soccer program plans indoor soccer days for all travel players from the fall season on either Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7 or Feb. 14 at Brock Bridge Elementary School. Please check with your coach about the day and time for your team. Awards from the fall season will be presented and the players will have fun playing indoor soccer.
Area adults can become a part of the MCRC action by volunteering in the youth sports program, including any former MCRC players (ages 18 or over) who would like to give back to the program. Please contact John Venit at dpws@aol.com about coaching or assistant coaching for the upcoming baseball and soccer seasons.
Finally, MCRC is excited that the county worked on the baseball diamonds this fall to help prevent the flooding we all remember every time it rained and hope that this spring baseball season will find the fields in the best condition in years! MCRC also looks forward to the completion of the addition on the MCRC equipment shed.