It’s something Boothbay Region Elementary School baseball players haven’t heard in a couple of years, but “Play Ball!” will be heard this spring as the team returns to Busline League action. Thirteen players have signed up and Boothbay Region High School educational technician Smith Climo will coach the team.

Last spring, Climo approached BRES officials about the lack of a team. He indicated he’d be interested in coaching the middle school team in the future. He believed the lack of one meant doom for Boothbay baseball.

“I love coaching football, but I’m a baseball guy. I know without a grammar school team it won’t be long before there is no high school team,” Climo said.

Pre-season practice begins March 27. Coach Climo already has a head start on a possible line-up. He sent a questionnaire to players seeking information about their baseball experience. The players’ responses showed there seemed to be a position for all the players.

“Three said they pitched, three others play the outfield, two play first, and (there was) one response each for second base, shortstop, third base. We also had one late response who catches so everything is falling into place,” he said.

Climo expects the change from the smaller Little League field to the regulation baseball diamond will be a tough adjustment for his squad. But he believes that, as the season progresses, his team will adjust.

“I will make two guarantees. One is that we’ll have fun, and two is that we’ll be better at season’s end than the beginning.”

The BRES and high school teams will share the field this season. Smith expects his team will practice from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. The high school team will practice from 4:30 to 6 p.m.