With the 2013 baseball season right around the corner Baseball.ca will visit with each of the 10 Provincial organizations during a 10 week period. This week we meet with Baseball Alberta’s Darren Dekinder.
It was a banner year on the field for Baseball Alberta in 2012 as three of their provincial teams medalled at Nationals and nine Albertans combined played for Baseball Canada’s National Teams.
Off the field, the province was equally impressive as they captured the prestigious Province of the Year Award at the Baseball Convention last fall in Québec City.
Baseball Alberta ranked in the upper-half of 6 out-of-the 7 categories used to determine Province of the Year. They finished 1st in Governance, 2nd in Player Registration and 3rd in both Grassroots Programs and Officials Development.
“We want to build on that success in 2013 through offering top quality programs designed to develop players, coaches, and umpires,” said Baseball Alberta’s Darren Dekinder.
A child’s first experience in baseball is important as the quality of the experience will play a major role in that player’s enjoyment of the game and ultimately the length of time they stay involved in the sport.
Baseball Alberta prides itself on ensuring that quality coaches and programs are in place so that a child can get the most out of their baseball experience.
“(We) believe strongly that player’s join and return to baseball each year in large part due to the quality of coaching that they experience,” explained Dekinder. “More and more associations are encouraging their coaches to get training through the NCCP program including the clinics specifically to support the Rally Cap program.”
As in most areas of the country, Rally Cap is picking up steam in Alberta each year with more associations implementing the program into their development system.
“Feedback on the Rally Cap program has been very positive and the number of associations offering the program continues to grow,” added Dekinder.
Dekinder says that one highlight on the calendar for Rally Cap players, coaches and parents is Rally Cap Day.
“This is a popular event in many associations where players, parents, and coaches can get involved in demonstrating progress in baseball skills development and advance to the next colour hat in a fun and learning environment,” he said.
Rally Cap is not the only program in Alberta that is garnering interest as other programs have been introduced that meet the needs of players at all levels of the game.
“Key strategic activities that we are supporting to grow the number of players joining and staying with baseball include winter player camps, summer player camps, Fall Ball leagues, and Winterball,” explained Dekinder. “These programs work to provide opportunities year round to players at various targeted age groups to develop baseball skills and learn the game.”
There are many baseball events to look forward to in Alberta this summer including the Baseball Canada 13U (Peewee) Western Championship in Spruce Grove August 22-25.
Another big event to mark on your calendar is the 13-team Midget 18U AAA Provincial Championship from July 24-28 in Okotoks.
“This may be the largest Provincial Championship Tournament in Canada with the champion representing Alberta at the Baseball Canada 18U (Midget) National Championship,” added Dekinder.
The Toronto Blue Jays will be bringing some distinguished alumni as guest instructors to two different Honda Super Camps this summer.
Jesse Barfield, Cecil Fielder, Lloyd Moseby, Otto Velez and Duane Ward will be at Telus Field in Edmonton from July 28-30, while Roberto Alomar, Jesse Barfield, Cecil Fielder, Lloyd Moseby, Otto Velez and Duane Ward will head to Seaman Stadium in Okotoks from July 31-Aug.2.
For registration info, please click HERE.
It’s not too late to sign up for baseball this summer in Alberta.
Be sure to visit www.baseballalberta.com for more information!
