TPRD football and soccer numbers fall off

Staff

Published Friday, August 17, 2001

Sports Editor

Troy Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Director Vaughn Daniels may have to do his best version of a college football recruiter if the numbers don't improve for the TPRD's upcoming season of Pee Wee and Termite football.

As of noon on Thursday, Daniels said he had maybe 50 youngsters ages 9-12 that had signed up for this fall's recreation football season. Last year over 120 children from Troy and the surrounding area participated in recreation league football.

To say the numbers are down this season is an understatement.

"I really don't know what it is," said Daniels. "I don't know if it has something to do with the population, or whether there are so many kids involved with football elsewhere, be it at an elementary or a middle school level."

Daniels and the TPRD staff started football registration on Monday. The last scheduled day for a child to register to play football is 5 p.m. today at the recreation department's main office on Elm Street.

Daniels said the registration deadline may "have to be pushed back," but it was something he was reluctant to do, because of the short turnaround period between registration and the scheduled start of the season. All equipment, such as knee and shoulder pads, as well as jerseys, are provided by the Parks and Recreation Department, but time must be allowed for the ordering of such equipment. Shoes and helmets have to be provided by the player's parent or sponsor.

"We like to start the year as quickly as possible and give the kids the best possible football season they can have," he said. "If we have to field one or two teams per league then that's the way we'll have to do it. We certainly don't want to shortchange the kids that have signed up."

Daniels said Ariton, which played in Troy's league last season, will not be a part of the league this year. Daniels did, however, say that Brundidge has expressed interest in forming a league with Troy.

"I think a lot of it has to do with when we want to play our games," he said. "The parents like for us to play our games on a weeknight, simply because there's so much activity around Troy on Saturday with Troy State playing here."

It isn't just football that's suffering a participation drop-off, but also the TPRD's fall soccer leagues. Daniels said the number of youngsters who participate in soccer have traditionally been more then in football, simply because the sport is open to ages 5-18.

However, just 98 young people have signed up for soccer as of Thursday. That's compared to 230 last season.

"Last year we were able to field five teams in all five of our leagues," said Daniels.

One sport that has not seen a significant drop in interest is fall baseball. Last year was the first season the TPRD conducted a fall baseball and softball league, which was met with resounding success.

In fall baseball and softball, more emphasis is placed on instruction instead of competition and is meant for youngsters who will be moving up into the next level of league play in the summer. 10-year-old boys who will make the transition from Dixie Minor to Dixie Youth come summer time are given an early introduction to the rule differences associated with each league. Likewise, with the girl softball player moving up from Dixie Ponytails (11-12 year-old) to Dixie Belles (13-15 year-olds).

"We like to have (TSU) Coach (John) Mayotte and some of the high school coaches from around this area come in and give specialized instruction during fall baseball," Daniels said.

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