The St. Paul Minor Ball Association has enjoyed a great turnout from players this season, including an unprecedented number for the t-ball/pre-rookie program, and is looking to cap it all off at its final home tournaments and year-end party this month, according to president Rick Austin.
“There’s a lot of excitement about ball this season,” Austin said. “These kids are having a lot of fun. Not too many games have been canceled as far as weather-wise. The fields are in really good shape. The guys that take care of them are doing an excellent job.”
This year, the t-ball/pre-rookie program has around 70 kids practicing two nights a week at the diamonds near Regional High School. It was an unexpected number, however coordinator Corey deMoissac has been keeping players organized and making sure they have fun.
“He’s doing a great job,” the president said about deMoissac. “I basically gave him the ball and he’s been running with it. I haven’t heard anything but positives from all of our ball.”
Austin said that the emphasis for the kids at this stage is keeping them entertained, so there are various stations set up during practices to help the players develop necessary skills while also making sure they have fun.
On June 23rd and 24th, St. Paul Minor Ball will host three final tournaments in the Rookie and Bantam boys and Peewee girls categories, with around 26 teams participating in all games throughout both days.
Following the final tournaments, the association will have its year-end bash on June 27 where the public is invited to watch players participate in skill-testing events for running, throwing and batting, Austin said. The event will take place at the main ball diamond near the Rec. Centre.
Austin also said the association is looking ahead to next year to try and enhance the diamonds in making them more professional. The association also hopes to improve squads in the bantam category and add midget teams for boys and girls.
