All signs are good for a start-up of a new junior men's baseball team on the Coast.
According to Gary Pennington, one of the proponents for the new league, initial registration has been encouraging with a core of good players from the across the Coast signing up.
"We are also waiting confirmation from some local players who are away studying and playing sport at colleges and universities in Canada and the States," said Pennington. "Invitations to play on our Coast team have also been extended to graduates of premier ball with the North Shore Twins."
Twins coach John Haar has offered to help recruit some key players who played for him in the past.
Mitch Rainer, who is playing baseball on a scholarship at a community college in Texas, has also indicated a strong interest in playing for the new local squad, and Rainer hopes to recruit some former Twins players for the team as well.
Pennington said a strong leadership component for the team is slowly emerging, this despite the fact that a team manager and coaches have yet to be assigned.
Pre-season training sessions are planned for the near future.
Fitness training sessions specifically designed for baseball are currently being offered on Wednesdays at Roberts Creek Elementary School from 7 to 8 p.m. Fee is $10 per session. See www.gibsonsminorbaseball.ca for details. Registered players and prospects should take advantage of these sessions for development of core strength, flexibility, endurance and other aspects of fitness to do with baseball, Pennington added.
Batting cage sessions are another aspect of pre-season work that are encouraged. The refurbished batting cage is available for the use of junior players on Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. Contact Tim Scarr at [email protected] for more details.
Pennington said a meeting with the team members will take place soon to consolidate matters and to establish team protocols and professional codes of conduct that are essential to success at this high level of baseball.
"The future of this initiative looks very bright to all of those who have been involved in the planning process," adds Pennington.
League deadlines for registration are pending, so interested individuals should contact GMBA right away. The new team will also require a strong support group of parents as well as team sponsors. People who would like to be involved in supporting this initiative are asked to contact GMBA: [email protected].
