The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon Creighton Minor Ball is looking to introduce hardball for the older age groups this year. Currently, athletes are learning the game of softball, but president Sheri Campbell says the opportunities are less and less with softball. 'We're making a conversion this year and starting hardball,' the president said, noting that the change will take place in the Division 2 age group. 'We're starting this year to nurture the program for next year.' Division 2 athletes will be hitting the fields on Sundays to learn more about hardball. The regular season for Flin Flon Creighton Minor Ball runs from May until the end of June. This year, Campbell will have a clinic in July for coaches and athletes looking to learn more about hardball. '...to teach the coaches and kids some of the finer points,' she said. Though the season will be over come July, the board hopes to see plenty of players on the field for the opportunity. Nothing has been set in stone with hardball, but Campbell says this season will give a good idea for coming years. 'It just all depends on how this goes for a second season,'she said. If hardball becomes a future option in the area, Division 2 athletes will have the opportunity to compete in things like tournaments. 'In softball they have girls tournaments, but no co-ed,' said Campbell. In total, the local association has roughly 100 athletes registered this year with two large teams made up in the Division 2 age group. The president says she doesn't know if the Division 2 teams will be ready for tournaments this year, as they are just learning on the side, but hopes to see the program continue for years to come. A survey will soon be delivered to parents to get feedback, but Campbell says the children are excited about it. 'The kids are excited about the opportunities,' she said. While Campbell hopes to see hardball available for seasons to come, baseball players will have the option as to which format they play in. Much like hockey, the association would offer a softball division _ which would be the house league of hockey _ as well as a hardball league. This season, roughly 100 players have signed up between Blast ball, T-Ball, and Division 1 and 2 teams. 'We have a lot of new registrations, which is nice to see,' said the president. Coaches, volunteers, and the board are in full swing this year as plans are already worked out for a skills and drills competition in June as well as the annual 50/50 draw. 'We're going to need new equipment for hardball, so the kids are selling tickets,' said Campbell. The president gives plenty of credit to the board members as 'they've really taken the bull by the horns this year' with organization.
