MILLEDGEVILLE — Registration for Baldwin County Youth Football is open and runs through Aug. 24. The recreation department continues its take over of multiple youth parent-run associations with football this fall.

Baldwin recreation director Bill McNair and athletic supervisor Trey Binion met with four members of the football association Wednesday to clear up any misinformation and move forward as a cohesive group.

Association board member Tim Bradshaw had some issues dating back to last year’s in-fighting over finances.

“It became more about money than the kids last year. The only ones that suffer are the kids themselves,” Bradshaw said.

McNair wants all parties involved to bury the hatchet and work with the county this season for the betterment of the youth program.

The recreation department will take over the finances and plans on leaving all the other parts of the league the same.

“There will be nothing different this year,” Binion said. “We are hoping to continue what y’all are doing.”

Current treasurer of the football association Felix Jones said he is fine with letting the park handle the financials but wants the league’s quality to remain high. Letting people at the recreation department deal with the funds is a burden off the association’s back, according to Jones.

Greg Lewis works with the association and wants all involved with the program to focus on the kids first.

“I know we are talking about the financing, but what are we going to do for the kids? That’s the reason this program will be successful,” Lewis said.

Youth football continues growth with between 350 and 400 players competing on 20 teams last season. Ages 5 to 12 are broken into Pee Wee, Bantam, Mite and Midget leagues.

McNair doesn’t want to downgrade any equipment. Proposals for concession sales and all-star teams are in the works.  Recreation baseball and softball parents have formed a booster club, and all parties see that as a viable football option.

“We are going to have a league this year. Last year, whatever happened it happened. If we keep going back to last year, we aren’t going to get any better,” McNair said. “We need an opportunity to try and work it out. We won’t be able to do it ourselves. We have to work together and move forward to make this thing the best it can be.”

All-star teams from the county leagues have competed well at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) district and state levels. The 7 and 8-year-old Bantam team won the state title last season.

Attracting more Baldwin area kids to the football program is a must for growth, according to Bradshaw. Increased diversity from area schools like John Milledge Academy and Oak Hill Middle School could boost the profile.

Board member and coach Dexter Ricks believes you can’t force anyone to shift over to county ball, but their brand of football is available for anyone.

“All these people that we are targeting use the park during the year for different reasons anyway. We’ve always been open for everyone,” Ricks said.

The registration fee is $75 with participants providing their own pants and leg pads. McNair doesn’t want any one to be deterred for financial reasons and said the department can work things out.

Evaluations and team tryouts start Aug. 27 and end Aug. 30. Sponsorship fees are $250. Promoting and gaining sponsors goes a long way in offsetting the county costs.

Interested volunteers and coaches are encouraged to contact the recreation department. Coaches for both football and cheerleading are needed.

Bradshaw wants Baldwin County youth football teams to be feared on the field and respected for running things with pure class. McNair believes in developing players each year.

“It’s all about the kids learning to love or at least like the sport,” McNair said. “If you learn to love it, you are going to play it no matter what.”

Opening day is tentatively set around the last week in September. In the past, the kick-off games go down at Braves Field. Call 478-445-0785 for league sign up or inquires.

“This is a brand new league starting out fresh. If we stay positive and put the kids first, this will be a great start for us. By putting them first, it will be a great program,” Lewis said.