Minor ball season has started in Weyburn, with many teams currently hitting the practice diamonds. Ken King, president of the Weyburn Minor Baseball Association, said that they are quite happy with the continued growth and interest in the sport.
“That growth has been phenomenal, to say the least,” said King. He said that there was an increase in the younger age groups for baseball registrations and this year there was an increase in softball registrations.
The Weyburn Minor Baseball Association has a strong partnership with the Weyburn Senior Beavers as many of their players go out to Mickey Mouse league games during the month of May. “The Beavers offer us help at the diamonds and help expose many families to the game itself, giving a different view of the game.”
Most of the traveling teams for the baseball division have been set for the season. There are a few provincial teams still to be determined for the softball division.
As there is continued growth for both baseball and softball, one future need for the Weyburn Minor Baseball League is for additional diamonds. “That is a project and it is on our radar,” said King.
“Fortunately the diamonds that we do have are in good shape. We have a great partnership with the city and they are helping us grow our game.”
“Our number one priority for diamonds is at the highest end of our teams. The Tom Laing baseball diamond is a phenomenal diamond, but it is stretched to the maximum with the Weyburn Major Baseball League Beavers team, a senior team, a junior team and a midget team. Plus the Southeast Twins would like to play in Weyburn as well.”
“We also feel that we are not that far away from having another senior team, and possibility another midget team, so another diamond to meet their needs would be great.”
King said that a plan is being put in place to acquire new diamonds for future growth for baseball and softball teams. He feels there is great potential at Clark Park, which currently has two diamonds that are sometimes used, two diamonds that are not used, and potential for future growth in that area.
