Boys aged 13 to 16 won't be able to play ball in Squamish this season because no one is stepping forward to volunteer. And if the trend continues, the Howe Sound Minor Ball Association may have to fold altogether, says chairman Laroy Watt.
"After what has happened this year there is a very large possibility that there will be no ball of any kind for the children next year," he said.
Watt sent letters to parents of 35 boys aged 13 to 16 who wanted to play softball stating that without volunteers there would be no team, and only one parent responded, so Watt had to make the tough call of canceling that division.
"It's not a very good thing to do," he said. "I didn't feel too good about it, but it was either that or lose my sanity."
The association executive is burned out by the "humungous" amount of work needed to organize the league, which has 400 kids, and they've been begging the community to help out by volunteering for a variety of positions such as coaching and umpiring but none have stepped forward. Now six of the nine members of the executive have said this is their last year.
Although Squamish has a thriving adult slo-pitch league, youth wanting to play ball receive little attention, even after Watt advertised for help. And it's the kids that are missing out.
"You learn how to take discipline, instruction," said Watt. "And there are 15 kids on a team that you spend a lot of time with them during the year, so I think the worst part about not having ball for children is the loss of camaraderie."
Watt said that volunteers are needed immediately and for next season. Anyone wanting to help out can contact him at 604 898-9644.
