Swinging for success: Peterborough’s baseball season set to hit it out of the park

The crack of the bat, the cheer of the crowd, and the excitement of game day: baseball is alive and well in Peterborough as the city gears up for another action-packed season.

Peterborough Baseball Association (PBA) president Clayton Wade says registration numbers remain strong, with players from T-ball to 18U eager to hit the field this summer.

While the sport continues to thrive, the city’s baseball community has had to adjust to a shrinking number of diamonds. Recent changes have seen the loss of fields at Northcrest, Bonnerworth, and Morrow Park, putting added pressure on existing spaces like Kinsmen, Riverside, and Bowers.

The city has committed to upgrading Riverside Park and East City Bowl, with a public consultation set for April 3, from 6 pm to 7 pm at the Peterborough Lions Community Centre, to gather input from residents. Noting that Riverside is a favourite amongst the baseball community, Wade says the PBA is working closely with the city to ensure the sport remains a key part of Peterborough’s summer landscape.

Despite the challenges faced from the loss of diamonds, the season ahead is shaping up to be an exciting one. Peterborough will host the Eastern Ontario Baseball Association championships in August, bringing top-tier talent to local fields. Several PBA teams will also travel to the U.S. for tournaments, giving players the chance to test their skills against international competition.

The PBA is also welcoming a strong group of umpires this season, thanks in part to free clinic registration and increased pay rates to help with recruitment and retention. Wade says the association continues to emphasize respect for officials at all levels of the game.

For spectators, there will be plenty of opportunities to catch a game at diamonds throughout the summer. Wade encourages the community to come out and support local teams, emphasizing that there’s nothing better than a warm summer evening at the ballpark, watching great baseball. He says if you drop into Riverside or East City Bowl on any given night, there’s a good chance there will be a game going on.

At its core, baseball in Peterborough isn’t just about the game; it’s about the players having fun and chasing their dreams, the coaches shaping the next generation, the volunteers making it all happen, and the umpires who help make every game possible.

With growing excitement and countless supporters behind the scenes, baseball in Peterborough isn’t just growing, it’s thriving.

(Written by: Scott Arnold)