Youth Athletics

The Youth Athletics Program caters to children between ages 5 and 17, offering them numerous benefits from playing organized sports. Youth sports, sponsored by the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, provide the opportunity for boys and girls to learn good sportsmanship and progressively develop skills.

Registration Dates for Youth Leagues

Register for Current Youth Leagues
Season	League	Registration Dates
Spring	Baseball Softball Flag Football Cheerleading Just Kick It Soccer	February 1-14
Summer	Basketball (ages 9-12)	April 1-14
Fall	Baseball Softball Flag Football Cheerleading Just Kick It Soccer	July 1-14
Winter	Basketball South East Raleigh Wrestling Club	October 1-14

Spring Youth NFL Flag Football and Cheerleading

One boy running to make a touchdown being chased by an opponent.

The Athletics Division is offering youth flag football and cheerleading for ages 5-13. Open registration is February 1-14. The program age as of date is Aug. 31, 2024. The league fees are $51 for Raleigh residents and $66 for non-Raleigh residents. Interested athletes may register for their choice of the following league and program locations: Baileywick Park or Lions Park.

Practices will begin in March. Possible practice times can be anytime Monday-Friday, between 6 - 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., or Sunday, 1-8 p.m., and will be held primarily at the registered league Park location. All practices will be scheduled by the team’s head coach after team placements have occurred. Games will be played starting in April and will also be held at the designated league Park location. Registration will be conducted at all local Raleigh Community Centers and online at RecLink.

Age	League	League Game & Primary Practice Location
5-7	Mini-Mite	Baileywick Park Lions Park
8-10	Mitey-Mite	Baileywick Park Lions Park
11-13	Little League	Baileywick Park Lions Park

Spring Youth Softball

Softball sitting on the dirt on a softball field

The Athletics Division is offering youth softball for ages 5-17. Open registration is Feb. 1-14. League age as of date is Aug. 31, 2024. The fee is $51 for Raleigh residents and $66 for non-Raleigh residents.

Practices will begin in March. Practice times can be anytime Monday-Friday (6-9 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) or Sunday afternoons (1-6 p.m.). Games will be played weeknights, and possibly Saturdays, starting in April. Please note that the number of teams and the head coach you are assigned to will determine the actual practice and game schedule. Registration will be conducted at 2401 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC, 27607, and online at Reclink.

Spring Youth Baseball

The Athletics Division is offering youth baseball for ages 5-17. Open registration is Feb. 1-14. League age as of date is Aug. 31, 2024. The fee is $51 for Raleigh residents and $66 for non-Raleigh residents. Practices will begin in March.

Practice times can be anytime Monday-Friday (6-9 p.m.), Saturdays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) or Sunday afternoons (1- 9 p.m.). Games will be played weeknights, and possibly Saturdays, starting in April. All practices will be scheduled by the team’s head coach after team placements have occurred. Registration will be conducted at 2401 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, NC, 27607, and online at Reclink.

Age	League	Playing Location
5-6	Tball	Optimist Kiwanis Roberts
7-8	Pinto	Millbrook Lions Method Worthdale
9-10	Mustang	Marsh Creek Lake Lynn Biltmore Hills Jaycee
11-12	Bronco	Laurel Hills Carolina Pines Buffaloe Road
13-14	Pony	Buffaloe Road
15-17	Colt	Optimist

Virtual Training

Find these helpful online videos as a resource for training:

See the Youth Athletics Digital Resources

Financial Assistance

The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department strives to provide athletics programs to all. Thanks to generous donations and support, we are able to provide financial assistance to those in need.

Learn more about financial assistance options here.

Take the Pledge to Keep Youth Sports Positive

The City of Raleigh has teamed up with the National Alliance of Youth Sports (NAYS) to train all of our head coaches involved in our youth sports leagues. In partnership with NAYS, we are supporting their Parents Association for Youth Sports (PAYS) by promoting their sports parent pledge.

Similar to how a drop of water ripples throughout a puddle, acts of positivity in youth sports can affect a team's environment and spread throughout the league - and even the whole community! It only needs one person to start. Will that person be you? Sign up for the Sports Parent Pledge for a free six-part email series packed with resources and tips you can use to be a positive change in youth sports!” Please enter City of Raleigh as the League Name.

There is no cost associated with taking the pledge, however there is a fee to become a PAYS member.

Take the Sports Parent Pledge