continues to struggle for a foothold on Bermuda story by Nicole Williams Smith America's national pastime is set to invade Bermuda's shores as scores of youngsters warm up to play ball.

This spring, more than 350 children will take part in the Youth Athletic Organisation's popular baseball programme at the Kindley Community Field in St. David's.

And YAO Chairman Cindy Hollis said the programme is such a hit with youngsters simply because baseball is fun.

"It's different and I think that's part of the draw,'' she pointed out. "And the beauty of it is that you get a mixture of people playing.

"You have Bermudian children playing, you have ex-patriot children playing and that's what makes it so special.'' At the moment there are only two organisations attempting to introduce local youngsters to the joys of the sport that is as American as apple pie.

"It is one of only two baseball programmes on the Island,'' Mrs. Hollis explained. "And in our programme, all the kids get to play, no one sits on the sidelines.

"I've seen what the sport has done for my kids, it teaches them sportsmanship, self esteem and teamwork and gives them a healthy pursuit in Bermuda outside of school.'' A similar programme called, BYSP, runs in the West End at White Hill Field and is also attended by an estimated 350 youngsters.

Thanks to sponsorship by local firms, like Argus and HWP Group, the YAO's co-ed programme gives children the total baseball experience.

"They get uniforms -- hats and shirts -- and the teams are given major league names like the Blue Jays and the Red Soxxs,'' she explained. "Nothing is more exciting then watching the kid's faces when they get their uniforms.'' And to live up to their motto that `every child is a winner' the YAO gives each participant a trophy at the end of the season.

"Every child gets to play in the games,'' she added. "The bottom line is that it is just about kids having fun and at the end of the year every child gets a trophy.'' Mrs. Hollis said it was the departure of the US Navy that prompted the formation of the YAO.

"The baseball games were started and run by the US Navy for a number of years,'' she explained. "When the Navy left four years ago, a group of us got together because we wanted to keep it going.

"We appealed to the Government to allow us to use the base lands so we could keep it going.'' Over the last four years, the Saturday ritual has grown from a handful of youngsters to over 300 eager baseball players.

"We just had our fourth registration and we are full,'' Mrs. Hollis said.

"We have t-ball for the four-to-six year olds, rookie league for seven-to-nine year olds, little league for ten-to-12 year olds and a senior league for 12-to-15 year olds.'' To meet the demand, the YAO are appealing for volunteers to help run the popular programme.

And Mrs. Hollis said that donating even an hour each weekend would make a difference to the organisation and the children.

"What ever time they can give would be appreciated,'' she said. "We'll take what ever we can get.

"We're off to a good start this year, people have come forward, but we need more.'' Mrs. Hollis said volunteers do not have to be authorities in America's national pastime -- just have a love for children and the outdoors.

"When you go out on Saturday mornings and you see 300 children playing baseball and having fun, you feel great! "It's the most wonderful thing.

"Some positions do not require baseball knowledge, like ordering equipment,'' she added. "However, positions like coaching and umpiring will require knowledge about the game.'' The YAO need volunteers to help with the uniforms and equipment, the administrative duties, the grounds and the facilities, and the trophies and awards.

And the organisation is looking for umpires, league commissioners, coaches and individuals to help with the concession stand.

Mrs. Hollis said once YAO gets their volunteer dilemma sorted out they will focus on their future goal, getting a teen league up and running.

"We are trying to get a teen league off the ground,'' she explained. "We're trying to accommodate 16-to-18 year olds.'' The opening pitch for the 1999 season will be thrown on April 10, with games running each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Little leaguers: Little Benjamin Hollis (at left) shows off his baseball uniform while the Devil Rays get set to take to the baseball field at Kindley Field in St. David's. While interest in baseball remains high, volunteers are desperately needed to keep organised baseball alive.