It may be hard to believe, but baseball season is just around the corner.
This week, representatives of Athabasca Minor Ball are hard at work in the now ice-free rink of the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, setting up batting cages and other stations where players can work off the winter rust. Practices will start at the Multiplex next week with an eye towards being out on the local diamonds in May, if the weather allows.
As of last Friday, there were already 80 local kids signed up for the season, and the association expects to have around 125 altogether by the time registration closes on April 15. With that many kids, theyíd once again be able to field nine, 10 or 11 teams for competition in various regional softball and baseball leagues.
For Minor Ball president and coach Trevor Martin, the new season canít come soon enough.
ìWeíre getting ready to roll,î he said.
If numbers permit, the Association hopes to have boys and girls teams play at all levels, from t-ball and rally cap to bantam and midget. Anyone who wants to play some ball this summer just has to sign up and turn up at the Multiplex over the next few weeks to work on their hitting, throwing, catching and running.
In addition to the team practices, the association will host a baseball and softball clinic on Saturday, April 20 at the Multiplex for kids looking for an extra edge on the field this year.
With winter weather creeping into the spring, there is still a lot of snow on the ground, but Martin isnít concerned about the field conditions.
ìThe diamonds should be better; lots of moisture,î he said.
Registration is ongoing. For more information, visit the website at http://athabascaminorball.com.
