Old man winter may still be holding strong, but spring fever has hit the Forest City. London and District Baseball Association players, both young and old, are dusting off their gloves and heading to indoor training facilities in preparation for what is sure to be another exciting season of LDBA baseball.
The 2016 season will be a changing of the guard for the LDBA, as long-time president Joe O’Neill hands the reins over to incoming president Derek Brooks.
“I’m pleased to see that Derek Brooks has taken over the big chair as the president of the LDBA,” said O’Neill. “I’ve known Derek and worked with him as a volunteer for many years. He is all about what’s best for the kids and best for local baseball.”
Brooks takes over after having spent time with the London Badgers as a coach and several years on the St. Thomas Minor Baseball Board of Directors. He was also instrumental in the enormously successful 13U National Championship hosted by the LDBA in 2014.
“We are looking forward to working with the local associations this year to continue to improve registration and keep kids engaged in baseball,” said Brooks. “We have some exciting local tournaments and a national championship in London this season.”
The recent announcement by Baseball Canada that the LDBA had secured the bid for the 2016 13U National Championship and the 2017 18U National Championship means that the City of London will once again be on the national radar.
London last hosted a national championship in 2014, and has been very successful in promoting the city to baseball players from across Canada.
“It’s an honour for London to be placed on the national stage again, the organizing committee will work hard to put on a first-class event for all players, coaches and parents,” Brooks said. “It allows us to showcase our first-class facilities and our extremely dedicated volunteer base within the LDBA.”
The London Badgers 13U team will once again represent the LDBA at the Nationals, and the team is hoping to improve on back-to-back bronze medals in the last two years at the 13U Nationals.
Two years ago in London, the Badgers finished atop their pool going undefeated in the round robin portion of the event, outscoring their opponents 33-9 before falling to BC in the semi-final and then coming back with a 6-2 win in the bronze medal game.
The LDBA will offer a full complement of baseball for every age category and skill level. The St. Thomas Cardinals, London West Tincaps, North London Nationals, London Tecumsehs, Lucan-Ilderton A’s, DKMB River Cats and Dorchester Diamondbacks all join the London Badgers on the competitive circuit, while several other associations will also field House League and Select Division teams.
Registration is now open for the 2016 season. For more information, visit www.LDBABaseball.ca.
Story submitted by Justin Snively
