As the country looks to shed away the cold weather, the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department is seeing action starting to heat up with a bevy of events and programs on the horizon.
Recreation Manager David Nanney said the support from participants in the various leagues has been great so far throughout 2017 and that a couple of opportunities are on the horizon for the athletes at heart.
Spring flag football is still seeking athletes to register for the upcoming season. Participants compete at Kiwanis Park Field in Elizabethton with a 75-yard field. Each team consists of six men and teams go through an eight-game regular season with a single elimination postseason tournament to determine the year’s champion.
The cost to register is $260 per team and the deadline for signups is set for no later than Friday, March 24. The league is open to individuals age 16 years and up. Any players under the age of 18 need a form of permission from an adult before playing. Nanney added the recent flag football season saw over 10 teams take to the field and he’s expecting much of the same this go around as the season starts April 2.
Any women in the region looking to get back into the gym for a volleyball season will also have the opportunity in the coming weeks. Parks & Rec is currently accepting teams for their annual Spring Women’s Open League Volleyball season. Registration is $250 per team and being accepted until April 14 with the season starting May 1.
“We’ve had great support for our programs,” Nanney said. “Everybody that participates always seem to have a great time. These are two of the upcoming seasons we’ll have going on during the spring to offer to the public.”
For the youth, the Parks & Rec Department has been the main hub for signups for the inaugural season of the Elizabethton/Carter County Youth Baseball & Softball Association. Signup opportunities are available for 11- and 12-year-old girls wanting to play softball. Nanney stated the previous four signup dates went well at the department and the league is expecting 650-700 children to take part this season.
Any questions of flag football, volleyball or softball can be addressed by Nanney by calling (423) 547-6440.
Another outlet provided by the city is the Elizabethton Twins minor league baseball team. The squad hits Joe O’Brien Field on Thursday, June 22, for their 44th season opener at 7 p.m. against the Danville Braves.
As preparation gets underway, advertisement opportunities are available for local businesses and organization including ballpark signs, concourse area set up and sponsorship nights. Throughout each home game, attendees are treated to various special promotions to make the event even more entertaining while taking in some Appalachian League baseball.
Parks & Rec Manager Mike Mains, who also serves as the Elizabethton Twins general manager, added excitement is reaching fever pitch this season due to the possibility of the team having the Minnesota Twins first overall draft pick make an appearance in Carter County.
For more information on advertising, specials and tickets for the Twins, the public can call (423) 547-6441.
Recreational sports are just some of the multiple projects Parks & Rec offers throughout the year. Visit elizabethton.org and search for “Parks and Recreation” by clicking on the “Departments” tab for updates on schedules and other festivities going on at the facility.