OTTAWA- Okotoks Minor Ball is gearing up for the 2014 baseball season and recently added the title of “RBI Approved” to the association that has been providing baseball and softball programs to the community since 2004.
Baseball Canada’s RBI program (Reaching Baseball Ideals) gives associations across the country the opportunity to apply common core criteria to ensure that consistent good practice is in place when running a minor baseball organization.
“Becoming RBI approved shows that we are taking the initiative to implement new programs and attempt to make our association better,” said Lesley Dyck, Operations Manager with Okotoks Minor Ball. “The better the experience we can create for the kids, the parents and the coaches, the better the outcome for the community and surrounding areas.”
Okotoks Minor Ball achieved their RBI Approved status by applying the minimum operating standards in development programs, membership with Baseball Canada, Coach Training, Accessibility and Pitching Safety.
“The OMBA Executive was critical in putting these programs in place, but the players, coaches and volunteers are the ones out on the fields who actually make it happen,” explained Dyck. “We have an incredible organization of volunteers and parents who dedicate themselves to making baseball a fantastic sport in Okotoks.”
Since incorporating in 2004, Okotoks Minor Ball has seen registration increase each year to an all-time high of 550 in 2013 between house league, competitive and softball teams and the expectation is that this trend will only continue.
The young association has accomplished a lot in its short existence and Dyck points to the organizations commitment to growth a development of programs as keys to success with the desire to continually find ways to improve.
“Reaching new levels of success and achieving new standards shows that we are committed to growing as an organization from grassroots to competitive teams,” she said. “Becoming RBI Approved is one more benchmark that we can hold our association accountable too, and continuously try to improve and see success in.”
Okotoks Minor Ball becomes the 22nd RBI Approved association in Canada and the fourth in the province of Alberta to receive the designation since the program began in 2008.
To find out more about the RBI program and how your association can become certified, please click HERE
