Back in the swing of things: Youth baseball returns to the diamond in the Kingston region
At Megaffin Park, the Kingston Colts are back in the swing of things, as the start of the new baseball season gets underway in the city.
Youth baseball has returned to the Kingston region, and under the pandemic the sport is proving more popular than ever.
The Kingston Baseball Association (KBA) says that more than 600 players have signed up this season, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years old.
Jim Hunt, who is the senior vice-president of baseball operations, tells CTV News Ottawa that’s a few hundred more than last season.
Hunt says that he feels that’s because it’s a sport families can rally behind together.
"I think baseball puts families in a good state of mind," he explains. "It’s a family event. Kids, although it’s a team sport of nine, families can come around the field and enjoy watching their children play, and after 18 months of COVID it’s nice to get out on the field."
On Saturday, the Kingston Colts 16U team took to the field to play a game, one of the first they’ve played in two years, under COVID-19 restrictions.
Last year held a shortened season, and players were placed in a bubble of select teams, meaning there was no real season, explains 16-year-old Ethan Driscoll.
"It was tough. We played the same three teams all year. And so it was just the same spots every time and nothing really meant anything. But we’re in a real season this year. So we have something to win."
Now, they’re allowed to play games with teams from across the province. For Driscoll, he says it means getting back to the game he loves with his friends.
"Really excited. It’s good to be back in sports," he says. "The environment around the ball park is really cool. You get to hear the cheering, so you feel good when you get a hit and stuff."
Hunt says there are more than 32 house league teams and 10 representative teams, with kids coming from areas like Kingston, Napanee, Gananque and Wolfe Island.
"It’s amazing," he explains. "It’s a wonderful group of families we have the privilege to have with KBA. It’s great to get the kids out and get them some sort of normalcy."
For the player’s parents, that normalcy, is something to cheer about.
Sara Sutcliffe says her son, Ethan, is happy to be back.
"He’s happy and we’re all happy," she laughs. "We were like arguing about who was going to take him to practice because we were just so excited to get out of the house."
Maggie Duffy says seeing her son Liam with his friends and getting outside is the goal.
"I’m absolutely ecstatic," she says. "For me and our family it’s about mental health. And him getting back into sports has increased his happiness like 100 per cent."
For players like 16-year-old Matt Mignault, just being able to start the season means it’s already a home run.
"Just the feel of the game. Getting to meet new friends, getting to meet new people," says Mignault.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
IN PHOTOS Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Mildmay, Collingwood and St. Thomas, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.