Just one week left to get the cleats, gloves and bats out for another season.

Slo-pitch teams will hit the fields on Monday, May 19.

President of the Hub City Slo-pitch League Bernie Melanson says they have 79 teams registered this year, which is a bit less than in previous years.

“We’re just trying to keep it a little more manageable and easier to organize. That’s a combination of masters, men and coed teams,” Melanson adds.

The league uses fields including one at Crandall University on Gorge Road, Hal Betts fields on Assomption Boulevard, one by the Université de Moncton campus, Lakeburn in Dieppe and one in Westbrook Circle.

The league often compiles a list of players who are looking for teams, but Melanson says this year, they decided not to.

“I didn’t put together an actual wait list this year. It’s better if those who are still looking make a post on the Hub City Slo-pitch Facebook group, or they could email any of our contacts. Players have been picked up that way as well. So if teams are looking, they’ll get picked up pretty quickly,” Melanson says.

He suggests stating your name, the positions you play, the division you prefer and if you have experience.

Melanson says planning for the season begins a lot sooner than May. He begins looking for teams and sends out a reminder for teams to have their players sign the waiver forms, for insurance purposes.

“It does have to start early because, unfortunately, we are still chasing people a few months later.”