SABA preparing for busy year

First-year girls’ initiative, new division option announced

It’s shaping up to be a big year for the Summerside Area Baseball Association (SABA).

The association is delighted with a boost in registration numbers. As of May 1, 253 players were registered, or pre-registered, for the 2017 season. This is a 6.5 per cent increase over 2016, when there were 238 players registered.

This marks the third year in a row there has been an increase in registration numbers. Overall, there will be a 15-per-cent increase in Summerside minor baseball players than there was in 2014, when 220 players were registered.

Girls’ initiative

SABA initiated a discount plan for all first-year female players in 2016 to encourage females to try baseball during the summer months. With the discounted registration rate, first-year female players will pay just $50.

In its first year, the program drew four new female players. As of May 1, there were 11 firstyear female players registered for 2017.

SABA’s board of directors believes this initiative will help break down stereotypes that baseball is a predominantly male sport.

New division option

Another new option for players is the Junior Mosquito Division. Players born in 2008, 2009 or 2019 will have the opportunity to play in this division, which will build on the skills players developed in blastball and pony.

Teams will face pitching from a coach, and will play organized games against other junior mosquito teams, both within Summerside and other associations.