Fall has been a busy baseball season for more than just the Toronto Blue Jays. Eager Beaver Baseball is already planning its 2016 season. A new board was elected on the first of October, and they are anticipating a swell in registrations due to the post season play of the Jays. You can be sure that EBBA will be ready to meet the demand and continue to provide a structured baseball program for players aged 4 to 21.
The 2015 season ended on a high note with coach and volunteer appreciation night. Highlights of the past season were recounted, coaches and their endless hours of commitment were acknowledged, and every volunteer was thanked by the board. The Gordon Berryhill Volunteer Award was presented to Travis Bourne and Berryhill’s nephew, Edward Berryhill, was there to assist with the presentation. Gordon Berryhill was one of the founders of EBBA and it was his dedication in the initial years of the league that created a lasting foundation for the oldest organized youth sports league in London, run entirely by volunteers.
With registration beginning the last week of January, the new board has plans to make EBBA’s 62nd season of youth baseball the best ever. Mornington Park, EBBA’s home park, has seen extensive improvements over the last five years, and next season will see the addition of a batting cage and the groundwork for permanent bathrooms and a concession stand. Inter-league play with close neighbouring leagues allowed for many more home games last year for the Rookie, Mosquito and PeeWee divisions, and plans are under way to continue to expand that program. Meanwhile, the Little Slugger and Tball programs continue to grow and provide our 4-7 year olds with solid baseball knowledge and skill sets.
Watch the EBBA.ca website for upcoming registration dates and pre-season clinics, both starting in January. A job list will also be posted, as more volunteers will be needed to make 2016 a success. As Gordon Berryhill knew, a league is only as good as its volunteers, and EBBA has some of the best!
Story and photo submitted by EBBA
