Youngsters active in sports in the Riverbank area were busy last Saturday, as youth basketball ended and the baseball and softball teams were being evaluated and holding tryouts.

Riverbank Youth Baseball Softball Association tryouts were hosted at Castleberg Park and the California Avenue diamond.

Baseball tryouts began just before midday on Feb. 8, on the South Field at Castleberg, scheduled by age groups, with draft times following.

Girls softball, at least at 3 p.m., was being played, so to speak, on the California Avenue field.

Coaches pitched and caught from buckets of balls, with each girl getting to hit about 10 balls. Those who had already batted, or were waiting their turn, took up positions in the infield and outfield, handling whatever came their way.

When the balls were all hit (or missed) time out was taken to gather them all up and put them back in the bucket on the pitcher’s mound, ready for the next batter to step up to the plate.

The RYBSA season is scheduled to start on the morning of March 14, with a parade from the Community Center, all the way to Castleberg Park, where opening ceremonies are to be held. Last year it rained, so the parade was abandoned and the first pitch, along with other opening day activities and team photos, were held under the gazebo near the playground equipment.

After a two-month season, closing ceremonies are set for 9 a.m. on May 16.