Sting Rookie Tier 1 players, left to right, Liam, Sam and Blake were on the winning end of their game against the Clinton Mustangs, 10-5, during Baseball Day in Saugeen Shores, June 11.

Hub Staff

Baseball Day in Saugeen Shores had Sting teams and players of all ages swarming the Biener and Cameron diamonds in Port Elgin, while teams got to play and take in a few games in between their team photos.

With her matching purple glove in hand and a big smile, Tatum Turcotte, age 5, was ready to have her team photo taken, June 11, at Biener Park in Port Elgin.

“Baseball day is a day where we can showcase all our teams, we get to have all our kids involved in the organization see each other play and just have fun,” said Saugeen Shores Minor Baseball President Andy Dunlop, June 11.

Dunlop said baseball is a growing sport in Saugeen Shores and since he's taken the role of president he has seen a 30 percent increase in kids playing the sport. “It keeps growing every year.” Dunlop stated that three years ago there were 148 kids playing in Saugeen Shores and now they're up to having 304 kids registered.

There are six diamonds in Saugeen Shores and they are located in Port Elgin at Lakeview, Cameron Park and Biener; and Jubilee Park in Southampton. They are becoming over crowded, not just for the 304 children registered to play, but also for the approximate 49 adult teams who also use them.

“I strongly believe we need more ball diamonds built. Not only do we need another one we need to improve our facilities. What we have is okay, but as baseball grows we are feeling a strain on the facilities,” Dunlop said.

New dugouts built by Saugeen District Secondary School students at Biener Park are a big hit with players, thanks to a $9,000 donation from the Power Workers Union in 2015. During Baseball Day June 11, the Society of Energy Professionals donated $5,000 to the minor baseball league for new equipment for youth teams.

The Sting rookie all-girls team caught a few pop-flies during practice before their game against the Gold team.

Rookie player Brando Boone (gold) had a great hit, that helped his team claim victory over the Sting Rookie girls team, June 11, at Biener Park.

The Gold Mosquitos had some great in-fielding plays against the Black Sting team, during Baseball Day in Saugeen Shores, June 11. 

Saugeen Shores Minor Baseball President Andy Dunlop (left) along with members Dave Hall and Ryan Eagan (right) accepted a donation of $5,000 from Society of Energy Professionals representative Shaun Abbas (blue) and his daughter Asiya Abbas, during Baseball Day in Saugeen Shores, June 11.