Steinbach arenas are still busy with minor hockey games, but that doesn't mean it's too early to start thinking about the upcoming baseball season. In fact, with Spring Training just around the corner for professional ball players, registration is now open for parents looking to sign up their child at the youth levels.

Mike Kehler with Steinbach Minor Baseball says a lot of registrations have already come in. He adds registration numbers continue to climb from one year to the next.

"It's a fun summer sport that they can play as a team," says Kehler. "Doesn't matter what level you are and we have a lot of different levels of play in Carillon as well."

Kehler says kids can play community ball or the high performance levels with the opportunity to play provincials.

"(There is) opportunity for the kid that just wants to play ball casually but also the kid that wants to play it more competitively," he says.

According to Kehler, baseball is one of those sports where a child can be influenced by watching a parent play.

"A lot of parents that register their kids will indicate that they either are playing or have played before," notes Kehler. "It's something that they enjoyed when they were young and so they are giving their kids opportunity to play the sport as well."

Further to that, he says minor baseball in Steinbach doesn't require a big time commitment. He adds they also try to customize the schedule so that certain age groups play on certain nights.

Steinbach Minor Baseball moved to an online registration format last year and Kehler says that has certainly cleaned up the process. No longer do parents need to come in with paperwork and cheques. It also gives them an early indication of how many diamonds they will need as well as coaches and umpires.

Those looking to register their child or sign up as a coach or umpire, can visit steinbachminorbaseball.ca.