After four years at the helm of the Midget Southeast Twins, Head Coach Blaine Kovach is stepping away to pursue bigger and better things for the good of baseball in the southeast.

"It was at the beginning of the season (when we decided), myself and Kent Phillips (Assistant Coach), are stepping down. Baseball's a thing where sometimes change is a good thing. I've been doing that for four years, and we've had our ups and we've had our downs. We've had our successes, we've moved kids onto college ball, and it's been great. It's just time for a change," stated Kovach, "The team just needs someone different in there, a different philosophy on how to coach. And I think for myself, there's other things out there I want to explore and help make better in the baseball world. Hopefully I can get some time now to do that."

He plans to take on a more in-depth role with the SBA (Baseball Sask), and at the same time put his training as a highly certificated coach to good use in developing more players in the southeast, primarily through teaching coaches how to coach.

"A few of us have been talking about some things...it's going to take it's time, but we have a plan and I think we'll move forward with that. It's all starting in the small towns. A lot of them are just getting into baseball or really haven't branched out into it. They're kind of stuck in one pattern, and we're going to try to break them out of that so they try and advance themselves."

That said, he still hopes to continue as a coach for Team Sask at the Canada Cup, and continue to contribute to the provincial and national level.

"I really enjoy that kind of stuff and the players that are there. It's a great experience for me to go around and see different players from across Canada."

Looking back on his time with the Twins, Kovach expressed that there was way too many highlight moments to simply pick a fondest memory from.

"A really big one was leading the team to that provincial semifinal (in 2016) for a chance to go to Westerns or Nationals. I thought that was really cool. Every single player that I've had, every kid was amazing. I never had issues with the parents, and my coaches that were along the way, especially Kent. Kent did so much for me and taught me so much, it's just been an amazing part of my coaching career and part of my life, and I have to thank him every single day for what  he's taught me, and just being there for me. Those are big ones, and a last one would definitely be seeing players play college baseball."

The soul that steps up to the plate for the coaching role with the team will have some big shoes to fill, and Kovach left a couple tidbits of advice for whoever takes over the reigns.

"They've got to be able to relate to the players. That was one of my biggest things, that I was able to them and the players were always comfortable asking things and talking. You see a lot of coaches unable to control their players and talk to them, and it's a struggle that no one likes to see. Definitely be approachable and make a strong relationship with the players. If you don't have one, the players aren't going to play for you and it's not going to be a good time, so a good relationship with the players is what's very important here."

"I'm not going to lie, it's a big commitment. But it's one that you would really enjoy. It's a good time and you meet a lot of different people, there's a lot of good coaches and players around the league that are very good to know. And just enjoy it. I had the best time of my life coaching, and maybe one day I'll come back, but it's an amazing feeling. Just really enjoy it, that's all you need to do," he said.

The jobs of Head Coach and Assistant Coach, including more than one of the latter, are open for interested parties.

Resumes can be sent to Estevan Minor Ball, 1910 Matte Court, Estevan, Sk, S4A 2W3.