OTTAWA-Last month, Preeceville Minor Baseball hosted a Baseball Canada RBI Clinic for twenty-seven kids in the small, Saskatchewan town.
Preeceville was randomly chosen to host a Baseball Canada RBI Clinic out of all the associations in Canada that are RBI Approved (Reaching Baseball Ideals).
“We had twenty-seven kids aged 7-11 come out for the clinic,” said Secretary Treasurer of the Preeceville Minor Baseball Andrea Tonn. “The coaches were amazing and the kids learned a lot.”
Weather in the area forced the clinic to take place indoors, but that didn’t do anything to dampen the spirits of the kids in attendance that had a ‘blast’ according to Tonn.
Preeceville Minor Baseball became an RBI Approved association in 2010 at the suggestion of Saskatchewan Baseball President Brian Trollope.
“Becoming RBI Approved has enabled us to have some guidelines to follow which is important as all of our parents are volunteers,” said Tonn. “It’s very helpful to have access to information that will build our program.”
Back in 2009 Tonn wanted a place where her daughter could play organized baseball. With no associations close by, she took it upon herself to organize something for local kids.
“We basically threw a few kids together and just started with some basics,” she said. “We had such a good response that the following year we had more kids of all ages interested.”
Prior to 2009 the town of Preeceville went without any form of organized baseball for 25 years. After researching baseball drills on-line, Tonn came across the Rally Cap Program which immediately became implemented into the association.
After the success of year one and at the suggestion of Mr. Trollope, Preeceville Minor Baseball’s executive decided to takes the appropriate steps to achieve the RBI Approved designation.
“There was no question for us that this was a way to show the community that we were in line with the Baseball Canada programs and to show that we were moving in the right direction,” explained Tonn.
Registration numbers at the younger age groups continue to be strong in Preeceville and the Baseball Canada RBI Clinic has helped to promote the sport.
“Our numbers from Rally Cap to Mosquito are very strong,” added Tonn. “We are very happy to be the recipient of the Baseball Canada RBI Clinic as it has brought more attention to the program that we are involved in.”
To find out more about the RBI Program and how your association can become RBI Approved please click the link below:
