Orillia Legion Minor Baseball (OLMB) is back.
After two years of mostly cancelled and modified baseball schedules, the OLMB season kicked off earlier today with a full slate of games on diamonds across Orillia.
“We have had lots of league growth this year. Well over 500 boys and girls have signed up to play, which is outstanding,” said OLMB president Wes Winkel. “Most of our growth is in our younger divisions — coach pitch and T-ball. Unfortunately, through the pandemic, we have had a drop-off in the older divisions, but the older divisions will level back up in the future.”
Tom Jarvis, director of house league, noted there are 37 house-league teams this year and 10 travelling rep teams. Many of those teams played at the Heliotis, Ross, Udell and Yeo diamonds on opening day.
Sonja Speare, OLMB board member and director of sponsorship, said all sponsors are in place and she thanked them for supporting youth baseball in Orillia.
Winkel thanked Mayor Steve Clarke for attending opening day, as well as the City of Orillia for ensuring the diamonds were in great shape.
When asked what was next on the OLMB calendar, Winkel said, “We will be hosting our Gander Ross tournament next weekend, which brings many teams to our great city, and, later in the year, OLMB will once again be participating in the 10th annual Baseball Day in Orillia festivities.”
