PINNACLE — While the area slowly emerges from its heavy blanket of winter snow, organizers for the Shoals Diamondbacks Cal Ripken Baseball program are already envisioning a green field covered with excited youths.

Plans have been announced for the program’s upcoming youth baseball season and this year promises to be one of growth and expansion for the Diamondbacks. The Shoals program is one of several existing Cal Ripken programs in the county, leading to competitive play and friendly interaction between widespread communities. The programs are a part of the largest division of Babe Ruth League youth baseball, representing youngsters between the ages of 4-12. According to the Babe Ruth League, more than 700,000 youths play Cal Ripken Baseball worldwide.

Last year saw the Shoals program field a team in both the minor (8-10) age group and the major (11-12) division. According to Anthony Ashburn, president of the Shoals program, plans are for both tee-ball (ages 4-6) and coach-pitch (6-8) teams to be added this year.

“We want to add two tee-ball teams,” Ashburn explained. “You can field a tee-ball team with five kids so with at least 10 kids we could have two teams. That would let them play each other or play other teams in the area.”

While coach-pitch teams require a larger number of players, usually 10-11, to form a team, a single team could be fielded to compete against other area teams.

Sign-ups for all age groups will be held on February 20 and 27 and on March 6 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department. Cost for participation will be $60 for the minor and major teams and $40 for coach-pitch and t-ball. Eligible players should attend Shoals Elementary or be former Shoals students attending Pilot Mountain Middle School. Youths from other counties are also eligible as long as they have no affiliation with another Cal Ripken program.

According to Ashburn, the Shoals community has a rich youth baseball tradition with programs having been in existence for more than 40 years. The current program has continued for over a decade with teams being fielded based upon the availability of children for play in specific age groups. Recent success has included a perfect regular season three years ago, ending when the Diamondbacks lost in the tournament championship.

Now, Ashburn said, is an exciting and important time for the program due to the current expansion of the Shoals Community Recreation Center, where the program hosts its games. Two new baseball fields are being added as a part of the expansion. While not available for this year’s play, Ashburn hopes the facilities will be ready for the following season.

“With the expansion,” he noted, “there will be a lot of opportunity. We’ve always gotten a lot of support in the Shoals community and we’ve been able to work successfully with the Ruritans. We’ve sent out letters in the community announcing our plans to add ages. We want to grow and we’re willing to add other teams if we have the players. If there’s interest, we’d also like to look at a second minor league team or see if there’s opportunity for a Babe Ruth (13-15) team. We’re not going to turn kids away.”

Ashburn also attributes the Diamondback’s success to strong support from the Cal Ripken program. He noted that training programs and materials are made available for coaches and clinics are frequently offered.

“They offer all the information and materials that a coach, even a new coach, would need,” Ashburn explained. “Coaches must pass an exam to receive certification. They train coaches with a focus on the kids.”

“As we grow,” he continued, “we’re offering our kids the opportunity to grow up playing and competing together. They’ll be able to improve their skills and I believe we can be a strong program. Our goal is not to compete with other programs for kids but we want to be able to serve the parents in the Shoals community and the kids here as they grow up. This is good for the kids and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for coaches and other volunteers.”

Anyone wanting more information on the Shoals program may contact Ashburn at 368-8817.