Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation Mini-League (w/ Boys and Girls of South Coast BC) [Guest post by @space_cadet00]
Thursday evening (July 5th), right as the beautiful day was beginning to cool off and the beaches were beginning to slowly empty, a bus full of elementary school-aged kids pulled into the Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium. This being the first week out of school, the kids were so excited for their first game of the summer season.
After a quick pep-talk, pledge and anthem, the youngest group (aged 6 – 8) split off into corners of the field for their t-ball games while the older kids played and goofed off on the sidelines. Some of them were so small that their uniform drooped to their knees, but regardless they bat, ran and slid from base to base – with a little help from the volunteers. Then they switched, older children stepped up to bat being able to hold the bat a bit more sturdily.
For various circumstances, these children may not have been able to play baseball without the help of the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC. The purpose of the club is to provide a space that’s not school and not home: a supervised environment that doesn’t feel supervised so kids can just hang out and be themselves. This careful balance (a science, really) is created by volunteer staff that have the same interests as the kids: hanging out after school, eating snacks, playing, talking, and – of course – sports. Some volunteers are avid baseball players, some are recognizable community figures, and others were just there to play the essential role of cheerleaders and supporters to liven the spirits. All of the volunteers had a heart for youth.
The Right to Play Ball program is basically a great opportunity for these kids to be active and play in a team environment. They pledge to support their teammates, honour their opponents, and try their hardest. The players sign up through the Boys & Girls club to play for the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Foundation for no cost. Equipment is supplied including mitts, bags, helmets, water bottles and even dinner. The program is the first of its kind, one that plays to the physical but also emotional and communal needs of the players. Each week an industry professional or athlete addresses the mini-league players in a little assembly to promote the self esteem of each child, a valuable lesson both on and off the baseball pitch. This also means that the young generation of athletes not only get to play at the famous Nat Bailey stadium, but also get to meet some of the stars of the Vancouver Canadians.
The league has 3 games left this summer, but the Boys & Girls club is open every day of the summer with hours adjusted now that school is out. With over 300 teammates in the Right to Play Ball program alone, the Vancouver Canadians and Boys & Girls club are providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will last in memories and character. Subsequent games are Wednesday July 11, Wednesday July 18, Friday, July 27, Friday August 10, and Friday August 17. Each session runs 4:30 – 6:30pm, except Friday August 17
from 1:00 – 4:00pm. The mini league will consist of two divisions. All children ages 6-8, will be in the “T-Ball” division while all children ages 9-11 will be in the “Coach-Pitch” division.
Disclosure: This guest post was contributed in exclusive for Hummingbird604.com by Jessica Brodeur. Jessica was my former intern and worked for me as Content Manager over the summer and part of the fall of last year. This post was not sponsored nor paid for, Hummingbird604.com just covered this initiative of the Vancouver Canadians and BC Boys and Girls because it is a great program. You can read Jessica’s bio below. As always I (Raul) retain full editorial control over anything posted on my site.
Jessica Brodeur is the co-founder of Vancouver Music Review and tweets as @space_cadet00. She enjoys photography, travelling and volunteering. She also contributes to The Province. You can read more of her writing on both of those sites.
