Baseball season has started in Summerland and this year there significantly more children at the diamonds.
“Our numbers have grown considerably in the last two years,” said Terry Rolston, president of the Summerland Minor Baseball Association.
A year ago, the number of players doubled, and this year one-third more were added.
Instead of three small teams, there are now six solid teams on the diamonds.
The biggest groups are among the 10- to 11-year-olds and among the 12- to 13-year-olds.
The baseball association has teams for players as young as five years of age.
This year, there is also a team for 14- and 15-year-old players.
Rolston said good coaches are a factor in the increasing number of baseball players.
He said players who are having fun will tell their friends about the sport.
Players who have good coaches also tend to stay with the sport longer.
The sport is inexpensive to join and most of the travel is confined to Summerland and Penticton.
The minor baseball season, which began at the end of March, will continue until the end of June.