Organizers with the Ponoka Minor Baseball Association have big plans for this season.
President Mandy Hansen said the group has planned a boys and girls baseball tournament and a clinic with a former professional pitcher; Geoff Freeborn is going to host a pitching camp for Ponoka’s young baseball athletes.
While a date has not been set, Hansen says there are enough kids signed up to make it worthwhile to bring Freeborn to Ponoka. She says kids will learn tips on pitching, hitting and infield and outfield plays.
Young baseball athletes new to the sport will also learn some techniques under a program called Learn to Play, which starts with kids as young as three years old.
“It’s a more structured way of teaching them,” she explained.
Hansen feels baseball is an ideal sport for kids who are unsure what they are interested in. Most equipment such as caps, uniforms and other gear are supplied. “It’s still the cheapest sport in Ponoka to play.”
Other plans for the year include being a part of the Stampede parade again this year. Also a fundraising project is planned to ensure kids receive awards for their efforts this year.
Spots are still open for kids and parents who want to sign their kids up with baseball can get a form at the Aquaplex. The cut-off date is March 31.