It’s not advertised or guaranteed, but if kids or teens sign up for Prince Rupert Minor Softball Association play this year, they might just get an up-close and personal look with some Rupert residents of the four-legged persuasion.
Ralph Weick and the board of directors at the Prince Rupert Minor Softball Association are hoping their sophomore year of existence goes as well as its inaugural season, which included two deer crashing a game by walking right through the softball diamond and past the dugouts (see the accompanying video for highlights).
This coming Saturday, April 1 will be the last day to sign up in-person for the league, which had just under 150 participants last year in four divisions, a very successful showing.
“A primary focus for us is we just want the kids to have fun. Obviously there has to be practice involved for skill development, but it’s all about having fun,” said president of the board, Weick.
Twelve teams competed in 2016 and the board is hoping to attract 14 to 16 teams this year thanks to a new, younger Under-8 T-ball Division.
Players as old as under-18 can sign up to play (1999 birth year).
The league will last 2.5 months and conclude at the end of June. Two sessions of play (practice or games) are scheduled per week, primarily falling on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“We’re working very hard to avoid other activities … like soccer and the baseball league happening in Port Edward, so kids don’t have to choose, they can try them all,” Weick said.
Sessions run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on scheduled days of play.
The league is also looking for volunteers, coaches, board members, tournament organizers and umpires (which will be a paid position with umpire clinics happening in April).
For more information on volunteering, email PRMinorSoftball@hotmail.com and for information on registration, visit the civic centre’s Raven Room from 11 to 2 p.m. this coming Saturday, or visit www.PRMinorSoftball.com online. Interested parties can also visit the Facebook page Prince Rupert Minor Softball Association.