BAY MINETTE — Have a child who dreams of being on TV or an energetic teenager who needs an outlet? The Bay Minette Recreation Center's spring lineup offers two new classes of acting and dodgeball are for them.

"We've helped (Bay Theatre Company) with a couple of things and we wanted to expand it," Kelly Johnson, director of the Recreation Department, said.

As for the Dodgeball League, "We had a lot of people asking for it," she said.

The dodgeball league is for youth 16 and older and began Jan. 19. The cost is $25 per team, and there are six players on each team. For someone who does not have a team, Johnson said they can come to the Recreation Center on Monday nights and if a team does not have enough players, they can be picked up by a team.

"Or they can call us and we'll try to put them on a team," Johnson said. "That's probably the best thing to do."

Games are scheduled for every Monday at 7 p.m. An official keeps score and makes sure rules are followed, and league play is directed by Recreation Center staff.

"(Teams) play the best three out of five games, with each game lasting three minutes," Johnson said.

Johnson said there are four teams signed up for dodgeball.

Acting classes are taught on Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for 5- to 10-year olds and 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 for 11 and older.

The cost is $40 per session, and there are two sessions. Session 2 began Jan. 8 and will continue through Feb. 12. Session 3 begins Feb. 26 and continues through April 2.

During the class, students learn acting techniques for both TV and stage.

"Right now we're working on the two hardest emotions — fear and sadness," Instructor Stephani Newton, owner of Bay Theatre Company, said. “Those participating will have the chance to perform in the Wizard of Oz this summer.”

Softball and Baseball lessons are also new to the Recreation Department.

"We've had clinics before, but we thought we'd try this and see how it went," Johnson said. "Two of our employees are former college softball players so I thought we'd put their talents to use."

Lessons begin Feb. 19. Instructors Christie Jackson, Tasha Burt and Jason Gavel have a combined experience of 60 years and will give instruction to players ages 7 and older on hitting, catching, fielding and pitching.

Hitting lessonsare at the Recreation Center, while catching, fielding and pitching lessons will be held at O.C. Waters and Halliday parks.

Lessons are in 30-minute increments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per lesson.

In addition to the new classes, the Recreation Department is offering it's traditional activities, including youth softball and baton.

Youth softball registration is going on through Feb. 27. Children 3 to 15 can participate in this league at a cost of $40 per child. There is a $5 discount for each additional child of the same family.  A birth certificate must be presented at registration.

Opening day is scheduled for March 28. The season will last six weeks, followed by an end-of-season tournament.

Emily Malone teaches baton every Wednesday for children 4 and older. Four to six year olds attend class from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., while those seven and older attend from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The four-week sessions cost $35 per child. For more information, parents can call Malone at (251) 937-9096 or email her at malone1160@bellsouth.net.

“We are proud to offer such a wide range of activities,” Johnson said. “We're always looking for new things for people to do to get them active, and for those already active, we look for ways to improve on their skills."

For more information about these programs, call the Recreation Department at (251) 937-3338.