NATCHEZ — There might be fewer kids involved than in past years, but spots are still available for any children wanting to participate in the Natchez Youth Basketball League’s 2009 season.

Natchez Director of Park Operations Wilbert Whittley, who runs the league, said there are still slots available in the four different age divisions, but today is the absolute final day to sign up.

“We’ve got a few slots left open as of (today),” Whittley said. “After (today), we’ll have to shut it down.”

Anyone interested in signing their child up for the league, which is for ages 4-14, should contact Whittley at 601-446-2762.

Whittley said there aren’t as many kids signed up as last year, but there are still a good many.

“We’re about 100 kids shy of what we normally have,” Whittley. “We have about 340 kids, but that’s still a good number to participate in the league.”

The league begins play at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with the Pee-Wee division, which is for ages 4 to 7, games.

Whitley said that is the division the league really focuses on.

“We want to teach the kids the basic fundamentals of the game, especially in the Pee-Wee division,” Whittley said. “That’s the league we really shine on the most. Most folks think these kids don’t have the attention span to be taught to dribble or pass once or twice before shooting, but we want to get the kids fundamentally sound before they go up to the next age group.”

And the Pee-Wee games are always the most entertaining, Whittley said.

“Those games are always the most fun to go to,” he said. “To watch the little kids score their first ever basket is very exciting.”

Other divisions in the league are the Flyers division, which is for ages 8 and 9, the Youth division, for ages 10 and 11, and the Intermediate division, for ages 12 to 14.

Whittley said the main focus of the league is to be a fun outlet for family activity.

“The most important part is to get the kids and parents involved,” Whittley said. “This is a family-oriented activity for kids and parents to get involved in.”

All games will take place at Martin Gymnasium on Homochitto Street. Admission to all games is $1.