Play ball.
Innisfail minor ball teams have hit the ball diamonds, thanks to a warm and dry winter season.
“It's been good. We started the first part of April. We had one week in the Arena and because of the weather we've been able to get on the diamonds every week,” said Murray Reay, baseball and town liason with Innisfail Minor Ball Association. “All of the teams have been practising at least once if not twice a week until now.”
The season begins in early May and runs until the end of June for league teams, while provincial squads (two peewee and one bantam) play until early August, Reay noted.
“The town's done a good job of getting the diamonds ready for us. Teams are all set. Coaches are in place and we'll be underway,” he said. “We're ready to go and the kids are eager.
“Our provincial and our league teams have always done well and we strive to succeed at that.”
This year, 167 players have registered for minor ball and will participate on teams in T-ball, rookie, mosquito, peewee and bantam divisions.
“We've actually got more teams this year than we've had in a lot of years,” said Reay, noting that the peewee and bantam divisions also play at the provincial level. “We've got three provincial teams, two in peewee and one in bantam that play in a competitive AA league. Our other teams play in the CABL (Central Alberta Baseball League) and in a Red Deer league.”
Each year coaches and management focus on different areas to prepare teams and players for the season ahead.
“T-ball starts the first week of May. They're our grassroots program. They'll start teaching them the basics of T-ball and the fun of the sport,” he said. “Our rookie division team is a little more into the skills part of it, and then with our mosquito division and up we start to develop the kids' skills in baseball – throwing, catching, pitching and running.”
The summer ball season is now underway and Innisfail minor ball teams have been preparing for a busy schedule ahead, noted Reay, pointing to last year's successful season and hopes of repeating it this year.
“Our league teams have always done very well. If we can finish up the season in good standing, that would be pretty good,” he added. “Last year and for the past couple of years, our peewee (provincial) team has either won provincials or finished second in a tier two level.
“It's all about having fun for the kids too, but if we can compete well, that's our goal,” Reay concluded.
For more information visit the Innisfail Minor Ball Association online at www.innisfailminorball.com
Murray Reay
"Teams are all set. Coaches are in place and we'll be underway. We're ready to go and the kids are eager."
