Dennis Johnson is still looking for a few baseball players.

He has been quite busy the last several months organizing an adult baseball team based in Moore County. He has enough players -- 13 -- to compete this season, but if anyone else is interested in participating on the 35-and-over team, he wants them to know they should give him a call.

"There are still positions available," Johnson said. "Our last practice is next Saturday at 2 p.m. That will be the last chance for someone to tryout. After that it will be by invitation only."

For more information, call Johnson at (910) 603-5768.

The team has been practicing at Memorial Field in Southern Pines in preparation for the season opener on Sunday, April 15.

Johnson is doubly excited about the inaugural contest of the Sand Gnats because it will be a home game played at Memorial Field. The team will have nine other home games this season.

Johnson is planning on having an opening day ceremony for the game, and he wouldn't mind having a nice opening day crowd on hand.

"We are working on getting some Boy Scouts to present the colors," Johnson said. "We are going to have some of our major sponsors on hand to throw out the first pitch."

The Sand Gnats have a full slate of 21 games on tap this season. They are members of the Central North Carolina Senior Men's Baseball League.

Other teams in the league come from Alamance, Raleigh, Wake County, Fayetteville and Apex.

The Sand Gnats will play two home games on May 20 when the Carolina Brewers and the Raleigh Marlins arrive in town.

The last home date of the season is a doubleheader. The Raleigh Red Sox will be the opposition.

Johnson said he has several major sponsors for the team, including The Armed Forces Foundation.

"They helped sponsor us because we have three veterans of war, including two active duty military, on the team," he said. "The Foundation offers direct financial assistance and uplifting support to men and women in uniform."

Other sponsors include Southern Pines Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7318, Aberdeen American Legion Post 72, Ferrellgas, Creed and Garner Roofing, California Closets, Sarah O'Brien with Prudential Gouger O'Neal and Sanders.

Johnson also acknowledged the assistance of the recreation departments of both Pinebluff and Southern Pines, and local radio station 102.5.