Wow, another successful minor ball season is in the books! We had great weather, an amazing player turnout, and huge support from parents across the corridor in pulling off our third and best season to date! Starting with 50 players in our first year under COVID, we have grown to include upwards of 120 players, from both Pemberton and Whistler, with five age divisions, eight teams, and countless memories.
Our program is wholly dependent on volunteers, and without their patience and love for the game, we would not be where we are today. Our 13U Dingers and 11U Ravens both won their divisions and made it to the championship games at the end of June, unfortunately coming up short against two great Squamish teams. Congratulations to the Highlighters and Big Hitters! You played like champions!
We have seen a strong and vibrant 9U program develop, with several of the players having progressed from tee-ball all the way to playing summer ball against the best teams in the Lower Mainland. Our tee-ball 6 and 7U players, many of whom have never swung a bat, thrown or caught a ball, are learning the ropes of the game, all doing so with joy in their hearts and smiles on their faces. We could not be more thrilled in seeing them develop and find their love for the game.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Resort Municipality of Whistler, in particular Allison Kehoe and Melissa Kish, for providing us the opportunity to play at Meadow Park, and for providing us opportunities for spring training at Myrtle Philip Community School. We are hopeful that Whistler Minor Ball can continue utilizing the great facilities we have in our communities.
Thank you to all the parents and coaches who volunteered their time to lead and teach their children how to play ball. A special thank you goes to Kirk Patterson for leading the way with our 6 and 7U program. A huge thank you to Micah Cianca, Brock Wilson, Paul Van Den Berg, Scott Macdonald, Paul Shore, Nate McIntyre, RJ Pearce, Todd Williamson, Mac Lowry and many others, for volunteering to be our team coaches, and for our volunteers, including Matt Woods and Oliver Clegg, as great mentors for our children as well.
We would like to extend an immense thank you as well to our senior umpire, Aidan Lunny, who helped guide us through our first year of play, all the way into this year, where he has helped mentor and develop five youth umpires. We could not have done this without you!
Thanks also to Whistler Slo Pitch. We look forward to partnering with you in 2024 and are excited to share our love of the game with your program as well.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Howe Sound Minor Ball, especially Kevin Read and Jeff Babuin, for enabling our program to happen here in Whistler.
We are beyond thankful for all participating and strengthening this program. Please follow us on Facebook, @whistlerminorbaseball for updates on next season. Registration will be held in fall of 2023 closing January 2024 so we can focus on sport development. Thank you for your support — and see you next spring!
