SPORTS. The Beauce-Nord Baseball Association is experiencing another increase in registrations for its activities this year. A happy problem that brings several challenges for the organization. With 320 registrations against 270 last year, the organization is a victim of its own success.
The needs are growing, explains the president of the association François Lehouillier. “We are among the associations with the strongest growth in the greater Quebec City region. Parents have lost the desire to get involved, which poses a challenge in the voluntary involvement of coaches or officials. »
The growing number of registrations leads the association to think that it will soon have to work on a project for a new site. “We will need at least one, if not two or three additional pitches before long. We have spaces in downtown Sainte-Marie, Saint-Elzéar, Saint-Isidore, Saint-Lambert, Sainte-Hénédine and Sainte-Marguerite. It is hoped that Scott’s field will be rehabilitated to allow games at the lower levels. This is also the first year that we have New Year’s Eve registrations, hence the growing needs. »
Level A Torrent teams operate everywhere on the South Shore of Quebec, while Class B takes place mainly in the territory of Nouvelle-Beauce. A novelty this year, the arrival of a U-18 team, whose local matches will be presented only at the Julien-Faucher stadium in Sainte-Marie, the only one having the necessary dimensions.
Tournaments are held throughout the province, except that there are fewer of them in the summer, explains Mr. Lehouillier. “There is usually only one tournament in a summer, because the schedules are very concentrated. We play a similar number of games as hockey in the winter, but with a very condensed schedule. »
The relaxation of sanitary measures will allow people to regroup and referees to return behind the plate, two positive aspects, according to him. Since registrations were made a few months ago, parents may have to think of some alternatives to reduce the necessary costs during the next season, due to the current economic context. “As people have to travel a lot, there is a risk of carpooling initiatives during the summer. Baseball remains an accessible sport where people like to gather. »
Finally, François Lehouillier finds it unfortunate that government initiatives are directed solely at the level of hockey. “Building an arena or outdoor sports infrastructure does not involve the same costs. In Sainte-Marie, people have appropriated the area behind the high school. Basketball, volleyball, dekhockey, tennis are coming. Young people play softball during physical education classes. There is a craze for sport, but we do not feel the will of the government to support it for real. There is none for hockey, ”he laments.
