Calgary baseball programs expecting sign-up spike amid Blue Jays World Series buzz
CBC
A new generation of Calgary baseball fans is rallying behind the Toronto Blue Jays during their first World Series appearance since 1993.
Twelve-year-old Jays fan and ball player Luke Derix said this season marks the first time he’s "actually been happy” with the team — especially for their game seven comeback win in the American League Championship Series.
“I just got off my couch, started screaming, my brother yelled down, ‘shut up!’ He was cheering for the Mariners, so we don't have to watch any more games," said Derix.
“It felt amazing … so we can annoy him by watching more games.”
With the Blue Jays’ playoff run sparking interest in the sport, baseball coaches and organizers around Calgary are expecting to see a surge of young players, like Derix, join their ranks next season.
Fish Creek Little League, which has teams for kids ages four to 16 in southeast Calgary, is planning for a 10 to 15 per cent registration boost.
“A lot of times, the numbers actually depend on when, you know, the sports broadcasters start talking about the Blue Jays and if the Blue Jays are going to have a good year,” said Fish Creek Little League president Jason Mykes.
“There is definitely going to be an uptick in registration, I think, just across the whole city.”
Some of Derix’s friends are among those who could step on the diamond for the first time in the spring.
The Calgary Bucks player says some of his hockey-loving buddies are now starting to take an interest in baseball.
“When they started watching the Blue Jays, they just started watching every single game, like in the playoffs,” he said. “It kind of motivates them to maybe play in a league.”
Absolute Sports, an indoor baseball training facility in the northwest, has been running day camps for young players during the teachers’ strike.
General manager Colin Moro said more and more kids joined the program as the Jays continued to win playoff games.
"It's been crazy in here. Everyone is coming in excited every day, especially after a game night win,” he said.
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