The players will be ready. Coaches too. Mark Pettus and the crew at the Demopolis Sports-Plex will have the fields in pristine shape.

Now all the Demopolis Dixie Youth Softball League needs is someone to call the games.

As registration and the ensuing season approaches, the Demopolis Dixie Youth Softball League is searching for individuals to don the customary blue shirt and cap and call it right down the middle.

“Umpires for Dixie Youth Softball must be 18 years of age and must get certified by Dixie Youth Softball,” Windham Lee said of the process prospective umpires must go through before being allowed to call games.

Umpires for such games are generally members of the community and are paid on a per-game basis. In order to be eligible to officiate games this spring, individuals must first go through a certification process that includes a $25 fee.

Additionally, prospective umpires must provide their own uniform and equipment.

“More information can be found at softball.dixie.org or visit us at DemopolisYouthSoftball.com,” Lee said.

“If you are interested and would like to umpire or want to find out more about it, please call Gary Brown, DDYSL Chairman, at 205-652-3224.”

According to the Dixie Youth Web site, all requests to register as a Dixie Softball umpire must be postmarked no later than April 15 and in the hands of the Umpire Committee chairman by May 1. All requests for tests must be accompainied by a $25 payment payable to Dixie Softball Umpire Committee.