Dennis Mitchell
Cincinnati Reds
I would like to thank all the people involved in Fall Ball for their hospitality extended to me on Sept 20-21 in Regina.
I was very impressed with the number of players who attended and with the number of teams in varying age groups which I had a chance to see. . I have always felt that kids need to be outside in the summer and fall, playing baseball , football or doing anything active . I am not a fan of kids being stuck in a rink from late August to late April.
I actually gave out some information sheets to 3 players and have another 12 names from the bantams I watched. These players will be monitored through their midget years by myself or some of the part time people who work for me in Western Canada. I only gave out 4 info sheets during the North Dakota Legion Championships so the caliber of Fall Ball was very high.
While I normally have my part time people in Western Canada check out Bantam and Peewee Players, it was great to be able to see these kids myself. I will be back future years to check out FALL BALL and will be mentioning the program to other scouts who are in my area.
To the kids in Fall Ball, work hard but have fun too. Baseball is a wonderful opportunity. It can pay for school, allow you to travel and be a part of a great baseball community. To the organizers and coaches, thank you.
Dennis Mitchell
Cincinnati Reds
Fall Ball league drawing interest from Big League Scouts
By Chris Jaster Regina LeaderPost Oct.7/08
Regina’s Fall Ball Baseball League didn’t just grow in numbers this season, it grew in stature as well.
The league grew to 11 teams (including three from Brandon) and over 140 players from seven teams and 100 players last season. Major League Baseball scouts also made their first appearance at the three-year-old program.
Dennis Mitchell, a scout of the Cincinnati Reds, attended the program on the Sept. 20 weekend, and liked what he saw.
"They have a really nice program," said Mitchell, who scouts the Dakotas, Minnesota, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. "They’re bringing in minor league players and coaches, kids from the Regina Red Sox to give a little bit of instruction. Plus they get extra games. It’s a terrific program."
The program was created by Leo MacDonald, who was disappointed the baseball season ended in July.
The league, which is open to rookie-, mosquito-, pee wee- and bantam-aged kids, brings in guest instructors to work with the players. They also play at least two games each weekend.
Mitchell heard about the league through Faron Asham, one of the coaches of the Brandon teams.
"He mentioned they were bringing this Fall Ball in and trying to get Manitoba and Saskatchewan kids playing a little longer," said Mitchell. "I thought, ‘I never get a chance to see bantam-aged kids and pee wee-aged kids’ and that was a weekend I just happened to have with nothing to do."
The trip was worth it. Mitchell gave out information sheets to three players, including Tyler Folk of Regina.
Mitchell also told other scouts about the Fall Ball program, and they’re anxious to see the players next year.
"I have a buddy who works for the Arizona Diamondbacks and I’ve all ready talked to him about it," Mitchell said. "I know he couldn’t be there this year, but he’s already making plans for next year."
MacDonald was surprised to see scouts at the league, which is based out of Lions Park, this year. To him, it means the program is working.
"When you get a scout like that, it means there’s some good quality baseball going on," he said. "There are some good quality kids that are benefiting from this.
"We’re not promoting it in a big way, like advertising it across the country. It’s just sort of spreading by word of mouth."
Although his league is garnering some Major League attention, MacDonald doesn’t think of Fall Ball as anything extravagant. He views it as providing a venue for kids who want to play baseball in the autumn months. It’s not just for competitive kids, either. Children who come out to play for fun also participate in the league.
While the kids are enjoying playing in the league, Mitchell and MacDonald know it’s the time of year Fall Ball runs in that makes the program great.
"It’s great for the kids to get outside at that time of year instead of being stuck in a rink," Mitchell said. "I’ve got nothing against hockey, but kids need to be outside. They need to do things other than hockey. Even Gretzky says that."
"You get those days where it’s sunny and hot and September," MacDonald added. "We’re out there playing baseball and we’re having a great time. Is there anything better than a baseball park?
Long trek for Fall Ball
By ROB VANSTONE
Leader-Post Oct.6/07
The long drives of Taylor Madsen and Frits Horback are not restricted to the baseball diamond.
On each of the past four Saturdays, Madsen and Horback have been driven to Saskatchewan from their Manitoba homes to take part in Baseball Regina’s Fall Ball Baseball League. The instructional league’s final session is slated for today, weather permitting, at Lions Park.
“It’s for the love of the game,’’ said Nicole Madsen, Taylor’s mother. “We’re having lots of fun.’’
Madsen, 13, is from Hamiota, Man., which is 100 kilometres northwest of Brandon. Horback, 12, hails from Minnedosa, which is 75 kilometres north of Brandon.
Each Saturday morning, Horback, his seven-year-old sister (Angel) and his mother (Kathy) have driven one hour to Hamiota, picked up the Madsen travelling party, and motored three more hours to Regina. They usually return home the same day, as midnight nears.
“The driving isn’t too bad,’’ said Nicole Madsen, who customarily makes the trip with Taylor and his 10-year-old sister, Shailyn. “We have lots to chit-chat about. The time goes by pretty quickly. The kids watch movies.’’
The Fall Ball Baseball League offers players guest instruction along with games in the mosquito, bantam and pee wee age divisions. The instructors are veteran Regina coaches and some of the Queen City’s most-accomplished young players (such as members of the Regina Red Sox and college players). The program is also constructive as far as mentorship of umpires.
Fall Ball attracted Madsen and Horback — and roughly 100 other players — even though the Manitobans could have stayed in their home province.
“There is a league in Winnipeg, but it’s a lot more expensive,’’ Nicole Madsen noted. “They require two nights a week plus one day on the weekend. We had already signed up for Regina when we found out about Winnipeg, but this is a lot more convenient for us. We’re three hours away from Winnipeg and three hours away from Regina.’’
And further away from summer every day.
“This just gives them some extra ballplaying,’’ Nicole Madsen explained. “Most kids, if they don’t go to provincials, wrap up early in July. If you’re fortunate enough to make the AAA team, you’re playing until the end of July.
“This gives them different skills and an opportunity to meet different coaches and players. They seem to be having fun at it.’’
The welcoming nature of Regina’s baseball community has helped matters.
“The parents in Regina are kind of shocked that we’d travel that distance, but they’ve been very friendly and nice to talk to,’’ Nicole said.
The Manitobans have been so impressed that they want to try it again.
“This is only their second year of doing this (program), but I can see it’s going to be a big drawing feature,’’ Nicole said. “We’re talking about coming back next year or sending a whole team to do it.
“I think it’s a real benefit to the kids to build their skills. The boys are really enjoying having people like Mitch MacDonald (a Regina-born Florida Marlins draftee) and Morgan Reiter (of the Inside Pitch) do instruction before the game.”
Regina FallBall