Batter up!
Carlyle Minor Ball Days was held at Lions Park in Carlyle over the past weekend. Warm weather and lots of ball teams contributed to yet another successful weekend of ball.
Teams showcased their skills throughout the weekend and throughout the age ranges. The ball teams included everyone from the youngest group, being the Learn to Play team, to the oldest being the Midget boys or Under 16 team. Both softball and baseball teams from throughout the region took part in the weekend event.
A total of 35 teams competed at Lions Park with teams coming from a variety of communities including Carnduff, Carievale, Whitewood, Oxbow, Estevan, Arcola, Alameda, Redvers, Weyburn, Kipling and Melville. Of the 19 minor ball teams in Carlyle, 17 were on hand to play ball.
In addition to the ball games, the Minor Ball Association had a concession booth serving everything from hot dogs to perogies to candies and treats. Furthermore, a special guest attendance from the RCMP and their radar guns on Saturday allowed the kids to test how fast they could pitch or throw the ball in the batting cage.
Jenny Halbgewach, one of the organizers, said the event was a real success. "We had a lot of people come through the gate on the weekend. If you average about 11 or 12 players per team plus their families, it really starts to add up. And it is our major fundraiser for Carlyle Minor Ball, so it was really great to see everyone come out. The money goes to keeping that organization running and it brings a lot of people to our community."
Carlyle Minor Ball tries to bring ball teams in from throughout the area. Minor Ball Days not only provides the Carlyle teams with some extra playing time, it allows them to play teams that may not necessarily be in their league. Halbgewach said "It is a really good experience for the ball teams. It is a good way to play some extra ball and a good opportunity for families to come out and see their kids play. League games are usually during the week, so it is nice for everyone to be able to come out on the weekend and see the teams play. And it is good fun ball."
Halbgewach was not only impressed with the day, but with the work leading up to the weekend and the coaching staff that Carlyle has. "A lot of hard work goes into organizing an event such as this. We have some really wonderful parents who came out and helped and volunteered. And we receive compliment after compliment from teams coming in about our volunteer coaches. I am really proud of the group of people that we have organizing it. They really have a heart for kids."
