We never know how many kids will show up. Some nights, it’s real big, and some nights it’s not. We usually have three fields going, but sometimes we’ve had up to six fields.”

KATY AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE PRESIDENT BRYAN SILLS

As life in Katy continues its return to a pre-pandemic normal, registration has begun for the Katy American Little League Fall 2021 baseball season.

League president Bryan Sills said about 800 players are expected to register, which is consistent with past years. Registration began June 14 and runs through August 13. The season begins September 13 and runs through December 16.

For 2021, the league will have no masking or social distancing requirements. However, players and fans are welcome to wear masks and social distance as they wish. Fans have in the past brought their lawn chairs to games and sat in the outfield area, away from the main bleachers.

“We go by what the government says,” Sills said, adding that the league has followed Katy Independent School District policy. The district on June 1 lifted its masking and social distancing requirements.

While many area leagues cancelled their 2020 seasons in response to the pandemic, the Katy American Little League still played its games. But the pandemic did take a toll, however. For one thing, the spring season had about 1,000 players, which Sills said is about 100 fewer than usual. Many of the players who participated came from leagues whose seasons were cancelled. The spring season schedule was also pushed to June and ran through August.

When the games were played, an entire team could not be in the dugout at any time because of social distancing conventions. The catcher’s equipment had to be disinfected after every inning and sanitized if another catcher was going to play in a game. Players were urged not to share their equipment.

Team drinks and snacks, such as Gatorade or store-bought snacks, had to be pre-packaged. Homemade or handmade snacks were not allowed.

Sills said that the 2020 season was perhaps the most memorable because the games were played during the pandemic.

“We completed our season,” Sills said. “I think (the players) were just so happy to get out.”

Registration is open for players ages 4-18, and is divided into 10 divisions, ranging from T-ball (ages 4-5) to juniors (ages 14-18). Players must live within the league boundaries, which are generally north of FM 1093, south of FM 529, east of Brookshire, and west of Mason Road.

All but the T-ball division have tournaments towards the end of their seasons.

The league will also have a sandlot league, set for July but not yet officially announced, in which the kids will pick the teams they will play on and the positions they will play. The games will have real umpires and coaches available, Sills said.

“It’s crazy,” Sills said. “We never know how many kids will show up. Some nights, it’s real big, and some nights it’s not. We usually have three fields going, but sometimes we’ve had up to six fields in use.”

That the kids get to choose their teams and positions in the sandlot league is significant because it’s about the players, Sills said. Overzealous parents can put undue pressure on a young player. The sandlot league helps alleviate that worry.

“It’s less stress for the kids,” Sills said.

The registration fee is $170 for one child and $160 for each additional child. Registration can be done either by walk-up or online. Sills said walk-up registration is cheaper because there are no online processing costs. Walk-up registration dates have not been announced. He said online registration is faster and saves time needed for volunteers to process the applications.

The league is also looking for sponsors. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $5,000 and up. In addition, Sills said the league expects to hold a silent auction to raise money as it has in past years.

For more information and to register online, visit the website http://www.katyamerican.org.