Minor baseball is once again in full swing.
According to Powell River Minor Baseball Association (PRMBA) president Brenden Frehlich, preparation for the season began on April 13 with a clinic for umpires held over the weekend to make sure those officiating at games are certified.
“We have a bunch of freshly trained umpires who are now all professional and ready to go,” said Frehlich.
The following day, April 14, City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow attended at Larry Gouthro Park in Westview to throw out the first pitch to start the season.
Frehlich said the baseball association is in transition. There were members on the board who had stayed on for many years to keep baseball alive, and last year, a group of parents and coaches came forward and put their names up for positions with the board, so there is a refreshed group now overseeing the youth organization.
“We’ve been making a bunch of changes,” said Frehlich. “After COVID-19, registration numbers were pretty low, but now, this year is higher than last year. We just want to bring baseball back to higher numbers and higher quality of play.
“We invite the community to come out and watch, especially our older divisions.”
Frehlich said under-13s play at DA Evans Park in Cranberry. He said it’s a great little park.
There are also under-15 and under-18 divisions this year. Frehlich said this is the first year U18 players have their own division.
“That’s probably my most proud thing this year is that we were able to get numbers up,” said Frehlich. “There was word of mouth among the teenagers and people got their buddies to come out and play ball.”
U18s play two nights a week; U15s have their own division and play four nights a week at Larry Gouthro Park. That means six of the seven nights during the week, there is minor baseball action happening locally.
“It’s been great and we’re just getting started with this nice weather,” said Frehlich.
He said PRMBA is affiliated with BC Minor Baseball, and the local association follows provincial rules, all safety standards, plus logistical considerations such as ball field distances and the type of ball to be used. Umpires are also registered with the BC Baseball Umpires Association, having had their proper training.
“Everything is professional standard,” said Frehlich.
The baseball season runs from now until the end of the school year in June. There will be playoffs at the end of the season for a two-week period in the latter half of June. Frehlich said there is also the prospect of coaches making teams at the end of the season that can participate in inter-city play.
“Some will register and play for the provincials in our zone,” said Frehlich. “Others may put together teams to have exhibition games with other associations, such as Sechelt, Gibsons, the Comox Valley or Campbell River.
“Last year we went over and played a couple of games and we hosted a little Saturday jamboree and played some games. There's an opportunity for our baseball players to get action against some good players from other communities.”
If youth are still interested in playing, they can go to the association’s website at prmba.org and click on the registration button. While registrations closed on April 8, if enough players come forward so that another team can be formed, there is a possibility latecomers can play.
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