Realignment seems to be the in thing in sports these days: teams switching cities, teams switching leagues; interleague play; etc., and Farmingdale baseball is no exception. As the league prepares to hold its registration for its 49th consecutive season, it announced several changes from last year's format, including:

* The girls' softball leagues (Farm, ages 7 to 9), (Juniors, ages 10 to 13), and (Seniors, ages 14 to 18), will be playing with modified pitching, instead of arc pitching. That will allow for bunting and stealing at the older levels, and will put the local league more in line with the style of play used in school ball;

* The league's youngest age bracket, for 6-year-old boys and girls, has been re-named, the Rookie League. The emphasis at this level, will be to teach the 6-year-olds the basics of the game. The teams will participate in games, with the players hitting off of a tee. Standings are not kept and competition is not a factor at this age level;

* The 7-year-olds will play in the newly named A Ball League. The season will start with coaches pitching during the games, but the league intends to introduce pitching machines for use by mid-season at the latest. At this level there is still a heavy emphasis on instruction;

* The 8-year-olds will play in the newly named AA Ball League. At this level, the players pitch and instruction can be somewhat intensified;

* The 9-year-olds will play in the newly named AAA League. This is not only a new name, but a new age breakdown. It represents the first time that the 9-year-olds will play separately. This realignment was done based on prior year's registrations and based on the belief that it will allow managers and coaches to better work with pitchers and catchers, and middle infielders - teaching them some of the basic skills that stay with them throughout their playing days. At this level, standings are kept and uniformed umpires are used;

* The 10 and 11-year-olds will play in the newly named Boys Junior League;

* The 12 and 13-year-olds will play in the newly named Boys Senior League; and

* The 14, 15 and 16-year-olds will play in the newly named Majors will full baseball rules, on a regulation field - 90 foot bases and 60 foot six inch pitching distance. This marks a move by the league to reintroduce in-house play for 16-year-olds.

According to new FBLI President, Tom Sabellico, "These changes have been made with the best interests of our young players in mind. We have given much thought to adapting our program to make it as much fun as possible for the children playing and the coaches and parents involved, and increasing the level of instruction, while still maintaining a level of competition." In addition to the league name changes and age realignment the league announced that it intends to begin phasing in the use of major league replica hats for the players, and also announced that this year the league will host several clinics for managers and coaches, as in the past, and for players. The clinics are being administered by former New York Yankee outfielder, Rosendo "Rusty" Torres.

Registration for this year's season is being held on Saturday, Jan. 9, 1999 and Sunday, Jan. 10, 1999, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Sons of Italy, Columbus Lodge, second floor, at the rear entrance of the Crystal Palace on Boundary Avenue, where it meets Merritts Road. Registration will also be held on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1999 and Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the East Cafeteria at Howitt J.H.S. If you have any questions about the league or about registration, you can contact the Farmingdale Baseball League at 249-7375.