With baseball and softball season finally winding down, the Troy Parks and Recreation Department is now gearing up for the fall sports schedule.

Although the summer baseball season is officially over for the TPRD, like last year, the department will again offer a fall youth baseball league.

TPRD Director Dan Smith said the participants of last year’s fall baseball season "deemed" the league a success, which is why it will be offered again this year.

"The concept of fall baseball is that youngsters playing in the 9-10 or 11-12 year-old leagues next year will receive basic instructions on fundamentals, one night per week, and then play a game that night," Smith said. "Hopefully, we will be able to get a high school or TSU coach to assist in instruction."

The fall baseball season will last six weeks. Registration for this league will be held on Aug. 13-17 at the TPRD main office on Elm Street. Fees will be announced at a later date.

But when youngsters think fall sports, it’s usually with their eyes on the gridiron. Registration for youth football will also be held the week of Aug. 13-17.

Troy’s fall youth soccer program has been established for some time now and registration for soccer will be held on Aug. 13-17 as well.

The cost for both football and soccer is $25 per child. Soccer is open for children ages 5-18 and the age control date is Aug. 1 of the current school year. The TPRD youth football program is open for ages 9-12 and the control date is Sept. 1 of the current school year. For football, all equipment will be provided except for shoes and helmets.

If you’re going to have a football game, you have to have cheerleaders. Youth cheerleader registration at the TPRD will be held on Aug. 13-17 and is for girl’s grades 1-6. Girls who cheered last season are still required to register for this year. Openings are limited and there are no fees, but the participant must provide their own uniform.

Smith also wanted to thank the Troy Exchange Club for "making the Murphree Park Playground Project a reality". While the new playground equipment is in use daily, upcoming features include a gazebo, the Wall of Hands, an amphitheater, a stage and additional parking.

Smith said that a dedication for the new park has a target date of Sep. 1. He also said that it is not too late for a child to have his handprints made for the Wall of Hands. Each tile costs $50, with proceeds going directly to the playground project. Prints can be made at the main office, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Smith also wants to remind coaches from the summer baseball and softball leagues to return all equipment to the TPRD as soon as possible.