Strathmore Minor Ball kicks off

Times Contributor

 

Hundreds of local youth have started playing baseball and softball after the season recently started.

“Strathmore has a very good baseball and softball program,” said Daren Kennett, Strathmore and District Minor Ball president.

Dozens of athletes were practicing softball and baseball over the winter and clinics were held as well, Kennett said.

The organization has continued to grow over the years and has a participation rate that is approximately six times higher per capita than Calgary.

“It’s continually gone up,” Kennett said.

The baseball program has plenty of interest as there are 70 kids in the T-Ball program alone. Beyond T-Ball, there are 15 teams across all age groups. One team from Mosquito, Peewee, Bantam and Midget AA each are participating in the Baseball Alberta League while others are in the Rockyview League.

Last year the Peewee Tier 2 team won provincials and the Midget AAA team lost in provincial semi-finals to a team that went on to nationals. Kennett said he is optimistic about the current Peewees, Bantam and Midgets teams having a shot at the Canadian Western Championships in August.

In the softball program, there are 90 girls on nine teams ages eight to 16. The younger aged teams take part in a local house league while the others compete in the Calgary Minor Division. The Bantam Boston Pizza Thunder, coached by Minor Ball Girls Director Lanky Johnson, are competing in the Calgary Women’s Division. 

Last weekend the Thunder competed in an Edmonton Ladies Tournament and finished fourth. The team had some good offensive hitting and the pitchers had some good games, according to Johnson. The Thunder competed against midget, Jr and Intermediate Women’s teams in the tournament.

The Thunder will be hosting the Western Canadian U16 Fastpitch Softball Championships in Strathmore Aug. 9 – 12.

The Pee Wee, meanwhile, played a double header in Medicine Hat last weekend. Though they lost both games, one by only one run, they showed better batting and defensive work, Johnson said.

The turnout at home games is great as the community continues to support Strathmore and District Minor Ball, Kennett said.

The organization is always looking for interested volunteers, he added. 

Playoffs for the Rockyview League begin at the end of June while the Baseball Alberta League playoffs will start in August.

Information online regarding baseball is available at strathmorebaseball.com and softball information at strathmorefastpitch.com.