Prince Albert Royals pitcher Nick Nye in 2020. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Play ball!

Councillor pitches changes to premier ball diamond

Mar 19, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Prince Albert city council is set to consider changes to one of the city’s premiere diamonds along with updated booking protocols for sports fields.

Councillor Blake Edwards, who pitched the ideas to council, says enlarging the infield at the Kinsmen Diamond at Prime Ministers Park would allow baseball to be played on the field without impacting softball.

“Right now the infield is too small for baseball to use because it’s typically a softball diamond,” he said. “All they would have to do is remove some grass, make the infield larger, and then baseball can use it safely.”

The play to shift the infield shouldn’t negatively affect softball because their bases are further out, he explained.

While it’s by no means a wild pitch, Edwards does anticipate some might question if the modified field will meet regulations for the 2024 WBSC Men’s World Cup of Softball, which P.A. is applying to host.

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“Worlds isn’t for another four years or so, if we have to alter to it back to put turf in afterward, that’s fine,” he said. “But in the meantime, more kids can utilize a premiere diamond.”

Edward’s idea is set to be discussed at the next regular council meeting on April 12, where he’ll make a double play of sorts with a second motion also coming forward. That one asks the community services department to prioritize the bookings of games over practices on the city’s premier sporting fields.

“I’m a believer that games should be played on the premiere diamonds because practices can be done on alternative diamonds,” he said.

Gearing up for the season

Edwards noted that baseball actually played a full season last year despite COVID-19 restrictions.

At a press conference earlier this month, Premier Scott Moe said the province was working with sports and recreation organizations to come up with guidelines so spring and summer seasons could run “as normally as possible, but also as safely as possible.”

Edwards said it will be great to get kids back out enjoying the games they like to play.

“It’ll be excellent,” he said. “It’s so important for their mental health.”

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom