Spring is here and the Sand Gnats are back.

The Gnats, a group of players on three teams in the Central Carolina Men's Senior Baseball league return for their third season beginning in two weeks.

But before that, the teams played scrimmage games this past weeked at Pinebluff Field. The 45 and older Sand Gnats will play the Carolina Reds from Smithfield at noon. The 21 and older Sand Gnats will play the 35 and older Sand Gnats after the first game at approximately 3 p.m.

The regular season begins April 19 and runs through August. The 45 Sand Gnats will play its home games at Pinebluff Field. The other two teams will play at Pinecrest High School.

The Gnats field a team in each of the age categories with players ranging in age from 20 to 59. The players come from all across the Sandhills; from Biscoe to Lillington and all points in between, including Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Carthage.

"Most people, when they watch us play they say they didn't realize how good we are," said player/manager Dennis Johnson. "If you come watch us play you are going to say, 'Wow', whether its because of one player or the whole team."

Johnson has served as player-manager for each of the three seasons the Gnats have had teams playing in the CCMSBL.

The Gnats have added a team each of the last two years. The growth of the organization has mirrored that of the league, which has added five new teams for this season and nine over the past two years.

"We had to cut people from the 21 team," Johnson said. "The interest in the younger teams has been great. So much so that we will probably add another 21 team next year."

Despite all the interest in the younger team, Johnson said he desperately needs two players for the 45 team.

"If there is anybody out there who has the interest and thinks they still got what it takes, I'd love to talk to them," he said. "We start playing for real in two weeks."

Interested players can contact Johnson at 603-5768. Team sponsorships are also available.

There are 32 teams in the three divisions.Teams are from Raleigh, Apex, Pittsboro, Cary, Alamance, Clayton, Goldsboro, and Fayetteville.

For more information on the Sand Gnats or the CCMSBL, visit www.scorebook.com/ cncmsbl

Contact Tom Embrey at 693-2477 or by e-mail at tembrey@thepilot.com.