It鈥檚 almost time to play ball for hundreds of local kids.
Registration is now open for children of all ages for the Howe Sound Minor Ball Association (HSMBA), and league coordinator Pauline Skiffington said it should be a busy year for the growing group.
Last year saw the return of a junior team (boys 13 and 14) for the first time in several years, and Skiffington anticipates that 2015 will see two junior teams and possibly a senior team (boys 15 and 16). Those teams play games in both 麻豆社国产and the North Shore.
The HSMBA is also hosting two softball tournaments this year, on June 6 and 7 and June 13 and 14.
Another brand new development for 2015 is the association is offering the Teaching for Tomorrow Coaching Clinic through Little League Baseball Canada for free to all coaches and parents.
鈥淭his is the first time in our association鈥檚 40-plus-year history that we will be offering such clinics, and is an amazing opportunity for our community,鈥� Skiffington said.聽 鈥淭he Teaching for Tomorrow Education Program is innovative instruction sessions for coaches and parents.鈥�
The sessions provide coaches with ideas for practices and ways to keep the game fun for all children. The free clinics run from March 16 to 18 at the Howe Sound Secondary School gym and are open to both softball and baseball leagues. The HSMBA asks that participants bring donations for the 麻豆社国产Food Bank in lieu of a fee for the clinics.
Indoor spring training is also available for local players and the HSMBA is looking into offering play for tournament teams during the summer and fall. The 2015 ball season runs from May 4 to June 28.
Skiffington pointed out that anyone can hit the diamond. 鈥淚f families need help with fees or equipment, there are programs in place to make sure that every child who wants to play gets to play, regardless of their financial situation,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o please never let something like money deter a family from registering.鈥�
The HSMBA is also looking to fill several volunteer positions in the organization including: registrar, baseball directors for Rally Cap and Farm divisions and year end tournament/awards ceremony coordinator.
Online registration for ball is now open, and if it鈥檚 completed by Jan. 31, a player can win one of two prizes 鈥� registration fee returned or a family four-pack of tickets to a summer Vancouver Canadians game. In-person registration occurs at Brennan Park in February and the deadline for registration is March 31.
For more details on the HSMBA, contact Skiffington at [email protected] or visit www.howesoundminorball.ca.聽
