Dire need for new baseball diamonds prompts fundraising in southeast

A spokesperson for Rat River Minor Baseball Association says there is a dire need for more ball diamonds in the area.

Charmaine Gosselin says their registration numbers have more than doubled over the last few years. However, today, they only have three regulation-sized diamonds to accommodate the more than 180 youth who sign up to play.

Gosselin says last year their baseball registration numbers actually topped hockey registration numbers in the region. She suggests there is an obvious reason for that.

"Baseball and softball are affordable team sports," she explains. "It's got some reasonable commitment, it's a great excuse to get outside after our chilly winters and it's just a fun time with friends."

But Gosselin says the sad reality is that there are only three regulation-sized diamonds to play on, and only one of those is owned by a municipality.

"We've had chats with our municipalities, like the RM of De Salaberry and the Village of St. Pierre, so we're super hopeful that they are working on the development of regulation-sized diamonds," says Gosselin. "But while those conversations are in the works, we decided to get started with fundraising because we know it will be needed."

2023 Rally Cap Teams 4, 5, and 6 - St-Malo Hurricanes (submitted photo)

According to Gosselin, the Rat River Minor Baseball Association attracts players from many surrounding communities, including, St. Malo, St. Pierre, Otterburne, Dufrost, La Rochelle, Arnaud and Grunthal. She notes the lack of a girls' league in Grunthal is certainly contributing to higher registration numbers in Rat River.  

Gosselin explains that their Association has been using the diamonds at the St. Malo School. However, the school recently underwent an expansion at the expense of one of its diamonds. Gosselin says while nobody is upset that the school is growing, the Rat River Minor Baseball Association should not be relying on school diamonds but should have them provided through their municipalities. 

"That's why we're having chats with the appropriate groups and we're super hopeful that the two municipalities can work together," notes Gosselin. 

She says constructing three or four new diamonds is all that they need. Gosselin notes the cost to build one varies depending on the land it is built on. For example, if a lot of landscaping is needed, it could cost $150,000 to build a ball diamond. Gosselin suggests that if only a bit of landscaping needs to be done, along with fencing, dugouts and sand, then you might be able to construct a diamond for $100,000.

"I have to say last season was sort of on the cusp of dangerous," admits Gosselin. "Because when you are not using regulation-sized diamonds, you have to use open grass fields, which means there's no backstop, no fencing, no dugout, nowhere to direct your fans."

Gosselin explains that when you are not using a proper ball diamond, there is less protection for fans from foul balls, making everything a little more dangerous. She notes for that reason, the older kids have priority for using the regulation-sized fields. 

"I could not imagine a 16-year-old hitting a tip ball and that landing in the fans," says Gosselin. "So, they get the priority."

She notes this has parents of younger children saying that their kids might be teenagers before they will finally be playing on a regulation-sized field. For that reason, the Rat River Minor Baseball Association has started fundraising. Gosselin notes they are raising money through monthly Bingo at the St. Pierre Rec Centre. 

With files from Carly Koop