OTTAWA-Sherwood Park Minor Baseball (SPMBA) is the 15th minor baseball association in Canada and 2nd in Alberta to receive the RBI (Reaching Baseball Ideals) Approved designation.
The decision to become a RBI Approved association was made by the SPMBA Board of Directors and appropriate steps followed to ensure that the RBI Approved criteria were met.
“We were intrigued by the RBI program from the outset,” said Greg Erickson, Past President of SPMBA (John Lovie took over Presidency last fall). “It fit with our internal goals of strengthening the foundation of our developmental model in a deliberate, organized, and research-based manner.
“We enlisted the support of our House League Vice-President (Loretta Wiwat) who worked with Directors at various levels to implement the Rally Cap Program and (Baseball Canada) Pitch Counts,” added Erickson. “Other Board members became involved at various times to consult and support the process.”
SPMBA became incorporated in 1975 even though baseball had already been a staple in the community for many youngsters before this time. Today, as the association gears up for its 40th anniversary celebrations in a few years, approximately 525 members call the association home.
This membership number allows SPMBA to have a seat on the Baseball Alberta Board of Directors which Erickson says is important.
“The seat on the board allows us to be aware of, and involved actively in Provincial issues,” he said.
Baseball Alberta, in particular Technical & Development Coordinator Greg Wolfe, also played a hand in helping SPMBA in their quest to become RBI Approved.
Of course, any successful minor sports association cannot survive and progress forward without the services of many dedicated parents and volunteers. SPMBA is fortunate to have these people that they can count on to implement and deliver quality programs.
“We are always grateful for those who support the implementation of our programs such as parent volunteers who coach and manage teams, board members who help organize at the association level, and the County of Strathcona who work with us to provide quality facilities for us to utilize,” explained Erickson.
In the end, it comes down to the players of SPMBA who will benefit most from the RBI Approved designation as it will add to their overall baseball experience and hopefully keep them involved with the game well beyond their playing days.
“We feel that the RBI Approved certification affirms that we are on the right track in our grass roots development of the sport,” said Erickson. “This will benefit players and coaches who focus on recreation as well as those who aspire to play at the competitive levels.
“Finally, we felt as a Board that RBI Approved certification could help with growing our program by showing our support of, and compliance with, a model promoted by our sports' national governing body.”
To find out more about the RBI program and how your association can become RBI Approved visit the RBI page on our website by click HERE.
Check out the Sherwood Park Minor Baseball Association website: www.spmba.ca
