Kobau Park in Cawston will once again be home to competitive baseball for young Similkameen ball players.
A group of local coaches have been working towards forming minor baseball teams to join the Penticton Minor Baseball League.
“We have been in discussion with the Penticton Minor Baseball Executive and they have been very receptive to us fielding teams to join their spring league.” said Marc Lepage who is currently on the board of directors with Similkameen minor sports association.
“Our goal is to put together teams made up of local kids so that we can practice at Kobau Park in Cawston but play games in Penticton against other teams in that league.
Of course, we would host games here too!”
One of the diamonds at Kobau Park is being transformed into a proper baseball diamond complete with a pitching mound. Baseball has been offered here in the Similkameen through Similkameen Minor Sports Association (S.M.S.A), but after the age of 11 the local program stops, leaving kids without further opportunity to play.
Last year, coaches took the initiative to invite kids out to play baseball and 24 kids participated.
The team played a couple of exhibition games but were unable to play against other teams in Okanagan leagues. It was clear to the coaches that in order to maintain interest in baseball and give the kids a chance to compete, the team needed to join a league. “Our hope is that the kids have fun while learning the game of baseball” states John Weber, one of the coaches involved. “This is a great opportunity for kids to play on a team and we are excited about the upcoming season. We are currently running a free winter baseball program at the high school. The kids show a lot of potential and it’s been fun.”
Coaches are looking for kids to register now as deadlines for joining the Penticton Minor Baseball League are upcoming. Any player born in 2001/2002 (Peewee) or 2003/2004 (Mosquito) are invited to join. There are early registration discounts until February 15 and opportunity for financial help to cover registration and equipment if needed.
For more information on the winter ball program or joining the Similkameen spring baseball teams call Marc Lepage at: 250-499-4235, or email mlepage@nethop.net