Plan ahead

Open now. Starts Dec 7

YMCA winter basketball

Family YMCA of the Desert. Ages TK-8th grade. Palm Desert

A winter youth basketball league with weekday practices and Saturday games. Girls-only league for grades 3-6.

Cost: $150. Season Dec 7 - March 20. Financial help available.

Open now. Starts Jan 29

NFL flag football league

Desert Recreation District. Ages 5-14. Palm Desert

A co-ed, non-contact flag football league where teams wear real NFL team jerseys.

Cost: $190.55 resident. Friday games at Freedom Park, Jan 29 - March 5.

Sign-ups open around Dec 1

La Quinta youth baseball and softball, spring sign-ups

La Quinta Youth Sports Association. Ages 3-14. La Quinta

Sign-ups for the spring baseball, softball and T-ball season in La Quinta.

Cost: About $150-$180. Last year sign-ups ran Dec 1 - Jan 31, or until spots filled. Includes a uniform, medal and photos.

This year's date isn't posted yet, so this is when it was last year. Check before you go.

Starts Dec 4

Free NFL flag football try-it night

Desert Recreation District. Ages 5-14. Palm Desert

A free one-evening clinic to try flag football before the winter league starts.

Cost: Free. Dec 4 or Dec 11 at Freedom Park. Sign-up required. Bring a mouthpiece.

Starts Jan 9

YMCA Y Rookies winter T-ball

Family YMCA of the Desert. Ages 3-5. Palm Desert

A beginner T-ball class for preschoolers, Saturday mornings.

Cost: $130. Saturdays Jan 9 - Feb 27.

Starts around Mar 1

YMCA spring flag football

Family YMCA of the Desert. Ages TK-8th grade. Palm Desert

A co-ed, non-contact flag football league with Friday night games.

Cost: $150. Expect a similar early-March start.

This year's date isn't posted yet, so this is when it was last year. Check before you go.

Starts Mar 2

East Valley youth soccer, spring

Desert Recreation District. Ages 7-12. Mecca, Thermal, Coachella

A low-cost spring soccer league for kids in the eastern Coachella Valley.

Cost: $61.80 resident. Games at Mecca Sports Park through May 21.