With basketball about to wrap up at the high school level, the attention shifts to one of the next sports on the calendar: baseball.

Youth leagues around the county have begun the registration process for those interested in playing the game of baseball.

The deadline to complete registration for Clanton Youth Baseball is Feb. 3. The final signups will be held that day at the Clanton Youth Baseball press box from 9 a.m. to noon.

The cost to signup is $125 for one child and $100 for each additional sibling.

Evaluations, which help in the selection of the various teams, will be held Feb. 12 and 13 at the Clanton Youth Baseball Complex.

Last year, there were about 30 teams in the Clanton league.

Leading up to the cutoff day, signups can be completed by stopping by Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness to find out more information or by visiting the Clanton Dizzy Dean Baseball Facebook page.

According to Harmon Coppedge, with the league, one of the biggest changes from last year is the implementation of new bat rules.

USA Baseball is using a new standard that requires the use of aluminum bats that have the ability for performance very similar to bats constructed of wood.

The decision has been carried out by youth leagues and organizations across the country, and is due to the latest developments in technology that have led to non-wooden materials performing at a “wood-like” level.

Coppedge stressed the importance for parents to be aware of the changes prior to the start of the season.

Similar to last year, there will be five divisions that separate age groups from 4 years old to 12 years old.

Clanton won the 9U baseball state title last summer, and that success has helped attract additional interest heading into 2018.

“Winning generates interest,” Coppedge said. “There’s plenty of talent to go deep and even win state again.”

Another new aspect in 2018 will be an upgraded opening day and overall experience.

“As a board, we’re trying to improve the grounds,” Coppedge said.

The batting cages are something that the league is currently looking into the possibility of updating.