Changes on the horizon for Kentville minor baseball

BY JOHN DECOSTE

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

Some exciting changes are in store for minor baseball in our area, according to a recent Kentville Minor Baseball Association (KMBA) newsletter.

The association has made application to the provincial Health Promotion and Protection office for a grant to help cover the cost of installing lights on the peewee field in Kentville and a new canteen facility for the small field by the tennis courts.

Association president Ken Jenkins noted that KMBA has players from all over the county included in its registration.

Since the number of players is increasing, there is a need to increase the capacity of the fields. It has been determined the best way to accomplish this is to install lights, allowing for two games or practices per night and doubling the capacity of the fields.

The new canteen facility will allow minor baseball the opportunity to raise funds for the continued improvement of fields and equipment.

The development of a parents’ canteen committee will help organize the running of the canteen during weeknights when T-ball, rookie and mosquito players are on the field.

Anyone interested in chairing this committee is asked to contact Jenkins at 679-6546.

As well, this year KMBA is participating in the Rally Cap program for the T-ball division – a national program that sees players rewarded for learning a new set of skills.

The program is similar to a learn-to-swim program in which children earn various badge levels as they develop their skills. In this case, the reward is a different coloured Rally Cap. KMBA is also looking for a person to take charge of this program.

In other news, KMBA is amalgamating with New Minas Minor Baseball, which has experienced difficulties with numbers the past couple of seasons --and a year ago was almost forced to disband.

The merger will provide the amalgamated association with another field for the T-ball, rookie and mosquito divisions.

With the Bluenose League and house leagues scheduled to begin play on the long weekend in May, it is important that minor baseball registration be completed early.

Registration for the mosquito to junior divisions began April 5 and will continue Saturday, April 19, 9 a.m. to noon at the Kentville Recreation Centre.

Registration for rookie and T-Ball divisions will be May 10 and again on May 24, 9 a.m. to noon, also at the Kentville Recreation Centre.

The registration form, schedule and fees are all available on the KMBA website at www.leaguelineup.com Please include a contact email address on the completed form, as the executive will be contacting parents and players with pertinent information.