from Saltwire Network, March 10 2021
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Young men will have another place to continue to play baseball this summer with the formation of a new Island league. At least four communities are planning to host teams in the Prince Edward Island 22-and-Under Baseball League. They include entries from West Prince, Summerside, Charlottetown and Kings County, with the possibilities for more.
It is the first time since 2015 the province has had a league for the age group, formerly known as junior, and league president Alf Blanchard said it fills a major gap in the province. He said there has been between 10 and 12 18-and-under teams in the province during the past three seasons.
“That means there have been roughly between 130 and 170 players playing 18-u,” he said. “When they graduate from 18-u, unless they make the jump to the KCBL (Kings County Baseball League) or the junior or senior teams in the New Brunswick leagues, there is nowhere for these players to play.
“The goal with this 22-u league is to provide quality baseball for players between 19-22. It will not be a participation league; it will be very competitive. It should be great baseball to watch.”
The new league will be a member of Baseball P.E.I., and executive director Randy Byrne said he is excited about the return of the 22-and-under circuit to the Island. It will help bridge the gap between P.E.I.’s growing 18-and-under program and the men’s leagues.
“A Island 22-u league is necessary, and the numbers are there for a successful league,” Byrne said. “If we can establish consistent 22-u programming, that will incentivize more players who graduate high school to continue playing baseball. Eventually, it should mean better players at the KCBL/intermediate or senior levels.”
Blanchard has been exploring the feasibility of such a league for about a year.
“Alf has done a lot of work getting things in place for this league, and with his leadership and the help of some core volunteers he has been working with over the past few months, this league will thrive,” Byrne said.
“The goal with this 22-u league is to provide quality baseball for players between 19-22. It will not be a participation league; it will be very competitive. It should be great baseball to watch.”
There are plans for a New Brunswick Junior Baseball League season this summer, including a P.E.I. entry. Another league meeting is set for March 21 to discuss future options and planning.
“There remains much work to be done, and the situation remains fluid with a number of options on the table as to how this season may look,” president Steve Mackin said.
“P.E.I. has expressed interest in playing in the league this summer; however, we are not certain as to the firm logistics of this due to travel and border restrictions and what these may look like in the coming weeks.”
Blanchard said if an Island squad is able to play in the New Brunswick league, players would still be eligible to play in the Island league as well. The same holds true for the KCBL.
The new league will be setting up a website and social media accounts within the next month or two. While there are still details to be hammered out, the league is looking to start in late May or early June, and its regular schedule will finish around the end of July. Playoffs will take place in August with the championship decided by the Labour Day weekend.
For more information, contact league president Alf Blanchard at blanchardalf@gmail.com.