NATCHEZ — T.M. Jennings little league baseball is on the rebound.

After a short falling off period over the past few years, the numbers are back up, and the league has shifted its focus to future growth.

“People have said some bad things about us in the past, but this year they can not say much,” T.M. Jennings Baseball president Eric Fry said. “When you have 200 kids in one place doing something constructive, that’s a good thing.”

This season kids ages 5-12 have filled 14 rosters, with the 9-10 year olds making up the most teams. Each of the 14 teams has a sponsor that helps provide equipment and uniforms. This year’s sponsors include Sheriff Ronny Brown, Jafe Entertainment, Pyron Furniture, McDonalds, AmSouth, UMB, Mackle Funeral Home, Webb Funeral Home, Hawkins Construction, Winn Pharmacy, Rep. Robert Johnson, Supervisor Darryl Grennel, B&K Bank and Edwin Green Construction.

Another change, besides an increase in participation, has been a changing of the guard as president. Fry replaced Peter Jackson after Jackson retired after 28 years of service to a league that has been around for over 30 years.

“This programs gives a lot of people a place to go for a nice family outing,” Fry said. “This year we have more parents involved and more support. It is a step in the right direction.”

Baseball is also a healthy activity that gets boys out of the house and creates an atmosphere where boys engage in safe social interaction on the field.

In the future Fry said he would like to see more community involvement in the league.

“I would like to see more support from parents and the community. I would like to see the community get more involved in these kids’ lives,” he said. “I invite parents to be apart and help continue to build T.M. Jennings, and make it a positive part of this community.”