Cold January days are not too early to start thinking about baseball.

Miami Little League has opened on-line registration for this spring as they gear up for the 14th season of play in the Oxford area with some changes in store for the program.

Registration is open through Feb. 24 with openings for T-ball, baseball and softball for boys and girls ages 4-18.

Miami Little League got good reviews of the on-line registration last year and that will continue in 2013.

“This is our second year of switching to completely online registration and we were very pleased with the feedback from parents last year,” said past president J.J. Slager. “It’s a lot easier to get all registered at home.”

Slager, who served as president last year, said the season in most divisions runs from late March to mid June with practices and games spread around Oxford primarily on weeknights and some Saturdays.

Slager said they are expecting a record number of registrations this year, with more than 500 anticipated.

Miami Little League president for this year is Dave Berg, in the first of a two-year term. He echoed that goal of growth for the program.

“As we look ahead, we had over 500 registered last year and we look to expand that growth trend this year,” Berg said. “We have added competitive levels and time commitment relative to the coaching.”

He said Miami Little League has partnered with the Oxford Braves traveling baseball program this year to merge schedules and allow players to take part in both programs, while not forcing them to choose. In the past, the schedule prevented the more talented players from playing with MLL teams if they chose to take part with the Oxford Braves teams. The new arrangement will help both organizations, Berg said.

“Kids playing for the Oxford Braves will be required to play for the Miami Little League, as well,” Berg said. “It means more competitive opportunities for the kids.”

There will also be expanded opportunities for teams to play those from Eaton and the western part of District 9 to give them some exposure to playing outside teams.

The MLL softball program is also expanding this year with the age group broken down to bring players closer in age to each other. The increased participation means more players so that there is not such an age range among players. In the past, girls ages 6-10 would all play together and there was a very big size and ability discrepancy. This year the new division primarily for 9 and 10 year olds means they will compete with girls pitching instead of coaches or machines.

“We took an active role in looking at softball for opportunities to cut the age ranges and get girls of similar age together,” Berg said. “The softball coordinators are trying to formalize it. We would like to get enough players to stay in Oxford and not have to travel.”

Another goal for 2013 is to schedule so that more players are able to use the new Little League field at the TRI complex. The field was completed last year to standard dimensions but use was limited. This year, Berg said, they want to give players from ages 9 to 12 a chance to play on the field. Slager added that since the grass has now been on the field for a year and established, they also plan to mow it shorter for a faster infield.

They also hope to add some more features such as dugout covers and more sponsor banners on the outfield fence.

Berg said they have plans for improvements to the field at Marshall School. The premier field at the TRI was the result of several years of planning and fundraising and the Marshall improvements are next on their long-term agenda.

The premier field and expanded offerings also mean more expense, so they are hoping to add more sponsorships for 2013 to keep up.

“As we grow, there is a need for sponsorship increases as well,” Berg said.