If you feel like you just can't wait for baseball season any longer, then rest easy - this Saturday, March 25, the Washington-Wilkes Little League season gets started with the annual parade and festivities at Ashley Park.

After weeks, even months, of preparation and planning, the teams are selected and the schedules are set and the public is invited to participate all day as hundreds of players, coaches, parents, grandparents, team-moms, and others gather to kick off the 2006 season.

More than 250 young athletes are signed up and ready to begin the new season. Teams are already being selected and practice sessions have begun, but the big day for the local teams is Saturday, March 25. That's the announced date for the annual Little League Day which will kick off the season with activities and fun for players, coaches and families.

The parade of teams featuring Grand Marshal Dr. Lester Johnston will begin the day's festivities at 10 a.m. as it makes its way from the Pope Center, eastward on Robert Toombs Avenue, and on to Ashley Park. At the park, teams and coaches will be introduced and a number of other activities will take place.

Food, fun, games, and a home run derby for both boys and girls will be featured during the day. "It will be a fun day for everyone to come out and support the youth," organizers say.

There will be grilled hotdogs and hamburgers for sale along with chips, candy, show cones, and drinks. Also, the Lions Club's dunking booth will be a featured attraction as it was last year. There will be a number of items for sale including t-shirts and baseball fun items.

Team pictures will be made throughout the day and there will be an inflatable "moonwalk" attraction for children. Heartfelt Productions, Debbie and Henry Anderson, will provide music throughout the festivities.

There will also be an adult game at the end of the day as has been popular in the past.

The rain date for Little League Day is Saturday, April 8.

Volunteers are still needed to help now with field preparation and in different areas. "Any help will be appreciated!" said Sissy Murray.

Also, the W-W Little League is selling signs for the businesses that support the leagues. The signs will be hung around the fence for all to see.

For more information, contact Little League President Tommy Saggus at 706-293-4434 or "just show up at Ashley park in the afternoon!"