The City of Greenville Parks and Recreation Department is extending the registration for spring sports programs, trying to attract more participants.

"We had to extend registration-the number of applicants is down too much from last year," said Jerome Harris, director of Parks and Rec.

Harris said it could be that the girls' softball participants are hesitant, because of the switch to fast pitch' game play.

"Fast pitch is just one step up from slow," said Harris. "If the kids are going to be prepared to play when they get to high school, then they need to start now."

Harris explained that slow registration makes it very difficult for his department.

"This has happened to us before, but it causes us to be unprepared when everyone waits until the deadline to come down and sign up," he said. "We don't know how many teams we will have, or even how many coaches we need-which brings us to another problem, interest in coaching is also down from last year-we also cannot commit to the Dixie Association, regarding how many teams we will have; if we cannot commit, they will not let our teams compete.

"Most importantly, the kids won't be prepared for a chance at gaining college sporting scholarships," Harris added, "so we have decided to extend registration until the tryouts for each bracket, but we really need to know before then, so that we can submit appropriate paperwork to Dixie, and get an idea of how much equipment we will need."

In other Parks and Rec. news, Harris said that basketball tournaments would be coming up next week.

"We will be hosting the tournament for the 10-and-under' boys' basketball on Saturday, Mar. 3, beginning at 9 a.m.," Harris said. "In addition to Greenville, teams from Opp, Enterprise, Elba, Troy, Andalusia and Geneva will be competing at Dunbar Recreation Center."

Harris said that there would also be tournaments taking place on Friday, Mar. 2.

"The 12-and-under boys will play beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, at Elba High School, and finishing on Saturday morning; 18-and-under boys will play at Ft. Rucker Youth Center, starting at 6 p.m on Friday, and the 14-and-under boys will play after the younger group finishes Saturday," he said.

"The 12-and-under girls' teams will start competing on Friday night at 6 p.m. at Geneva High School, and finish out on Saturday-10 -and-under girls will play at Geneva Middle School starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday," Harris said.

As for the fields and ball parks, Harris said that preparation is nearing completion.

"Our fields are looking to be in great shape, and we are freshening up the concession stands and press boxes now," he said. "We are just excited and eager to get started up, and invite all to come out and join us."