OTTAWA- The number of RBI Approved (Reaching Baseball Ideals) baseball associations in Canada continues to rise as Grand Prairie Minor Baseball in Alberta became the latest association to achieve the designation by Baseball Canada.
Grand Prairie has a long tradition of organized baseball dating back to the 1960’s and the Grand Prairie Minor Baseball Association (GPMBA) has been in existence since 1989. The Association is the sixteenth in Canada to become RBI Approved and the third in Alberta to do so since Baseball Canada introduced the RBI program in 2008.
“Taking the extra steps to become RBI Approved has paid dividends in our grassroots programs,” said GPMBA President Mike Beck. “Our entire executive has worked very hard to make baseball the sport of choice in Grande Prairie.”
GPMBA has over 500 kids registered and their executive under the guidance of Mr. Beck has made it a priority to put the best programs and resources in place to make sure that kids, parents, coaches and volunteers get the most out of their baseball experience.
“GPMBA has been trying to offer more value to our growing association,” explained Mr. Beck. “Our goal has always been to put the kids first and the RBI Approved certification helped guide us to develop our young athletes.”
Implementing the core criteria of the RBI Program into GPMBA has made an immediate impact at all levels of the association, but in particular the competitive programs have seen instant results.
“Our competitive teams are really benefiting from the programs offered by Baseball Canada,” added Mr. Beck. “Grande Prairie will have the most teams representing GPMBA it’s ever had this year and I feel systems like NCCP coaching certification and Pitch Count have given our teams the confidence to get to the next level of competition.”
All levels of baseball are extremely important to GPMBA with the Rally Cap Program being used as the introductory level of baseball under the direction of Rally Cap Director Kevin Boutilier.
“Kevin has stepped up to take on the challenge of implementing Rally Cap,” explained Mr. Beck. “Efforts like his are what help young athletes stay passionate about baseball and have fun.
“(Now that we are RBI Approved) we have focused on our entire organization and not singled out any one specific group or category.”
To find out more about the RBI Program and how your association can become RBI Approved please click the link below:
