Another year of minor baseball has come and gone for the Estevan Minor Baseball Association. A new season which saw Ryan Siever take over at the helm as president.

The season was a challenge, but for the most part it can be looked at as a success, according to Siever.

"We had a lot of new executives join this year so it was a bit of a learning process," he said. "From what we saw on the ball field it seemed like things went fairly well. I had some good feedback from parents and coaches throughout the season."

The new president noted that a mid season meeting was held in order to see what the association could improve on.

"We were checking in with directors to see how things were going with their coaches and just trying to give them guidance on how to make things run smoother. The directors were able to get the message conveyed to their coaches and they were able to implement changes and give the parents help to keep the kids more focused."

"We let them play for an hour, and everyone gets a chance to bat a couple times in the blast-o-ball division."

"In Jr. Mites we started implementing that kids could get in there and take as many swings as they needed for the first month. In the last month they started doing five strike-strikeouts. If the child wasn't able to get the ball in five swings they were out. We were just trying to show how the game will go for them as they get older."

"Sr. Mites were using the pitch machine, and kids seemed to like it cause they get a consistent pitch for the most part. So that went well."

In the older divisions, Siever said one of the biggest issues was dealing with a lack of umpires.

"Making sure we have enough umpires is important, kids are starting to know the game a bit more so its nice to have more structure and have umpires there to call games."

Something the association is looking at for next season is the inception of Baseball Canada's "Rally Cap Initiation Program".

"It's definitely something were looking at for next year. It gives parents and coaches some direction with drills and games to play before they get into the game, just try and keep the kids engaged while teaching more of the basics in a fun way."

Siever will continue next year in the role of President, as he was elected on a two year term.

"A few little road bumps here and there but you gotta get that first year under your belt to get through those things. I plan to continue on. My boys have another six years of minor ball left, I could be here for quite a while," he concluded.