West Maui Little League Board members are gearing up for an early start to the 2017 season. Registration will be held at the Lahaina Cannery Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 3; Sunday, December 4; and Saturday, December 10.

LAHAINA – Play ball! The familiar cheer to start baseball seasons around the world will begin a tad earlier for West Maui Little League Baseball (WMLLB) as the program begins its third season in alignment with the highly successful Central East Maui Little League (CEMLLB).

For decades, Little League Baseball had been a springtime event. With a goal of forming a more concentrated program for year round participation in diamond games, the new schedule was formed that includes winter ball – especially in tropical climates such as the Valley Isle.

Registration for the upcoming season – that runs from January through March – will be held at the Lahaina Cannery Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 3; Sunday, December 4; and Saturday, December 10. All girls and boys ages 5-14, returning or new players, are welcome to sign up and are asked to bring proof of residency in West Maui or enrollment in school in West Maui.

Minors (ages 9-10), Majors (ages 11-12) and Juniors (ages 13-15) must provide three documents, and new players should bring a copy of their birth certificate.

For information, please go to www.west-mauilittleleague.com or call (808) 269- 7140.

The goal is to develop youth baseball up to the level of CEMLLB that has taken Little League and high school teams to national prominence.

The drive on the Westside is spearheaded by Anna and Jason Kanaha, the current president and vice president, respectively, of WMLLB. They are joined by an experienced and veteran board of directors that includes Dandy Don Rosenthal, Kim Zeigler, Lani Chadli, Vernon Kanaha, Charlie McCabe, Wailani Kahahane, Jonn Kim, Elisa Kim, Ryan Toshikiyo and Jasmine Robertson.

In the registration flyer, WMLLB sees their program as a way to learn and develop new skills, work as part of a team, build confidence, have FUN and make new friends. Players will learn fundamentals of baseball, as well as develop and refine their skills. The league’s goals include striving to bring in more players (there were 200 kids involved last year) and to bring back Friday Nights Under the Lights, where games were held in the evening hours in hopes that the community will come out and support the keiki.

WMLLB President Anna Kanaha praised the list of longtime sponsors of the program including Jim Falk Valley Isle Motors, UFO Parasail, 5A Rent A Space, Slappy Cakes, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Gazebo Restaurant, Kaanapali Ocean Villas, Maui Sod, Expeditions Maui, Royal Lahaina Resort, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, Coconut Condos, Duke’s Beach House Maui and FRESH Foundation.

“We always welcome new sponsors for the league,” added Kanaha.