Bantam Division

Welcome to the 2010 Vernon Minor Baseball Bantam Division Season!

My name is Phil Joly, and I am the new director for Bantam baseball this season. This will be my 15th year having been involved with VMB. Having been president, and coaching coordinator in the past, as well as many years as a director and coach in various divisions, this will be my first in the Bantam division, and I'm so looking forward to this season. As you may or may not know, the VMB division is comprised of players aged 13-14, and all our home games will be played on the beautiful Bantam Diamond, located at Marshall Fields in the Landing area of Vernon BC. The field is one of the best kept diamonds the Okanagan has to offer, with field dimensions of 240’, base paths at 80’, and the pitching mound at 54’.

The Bantam division in VMB historically has been comprised of two to three teams and will play a interlocking schedule with other teams that include Rutland, Kelowna, Salmon Arm and Penticton. Teams will practice as the coaches schedule them (hopefully a couple times a week), and also play games either at home or away. There is local traveling throughout the Okanagan area. The weekends will play host to others games, practices, tournaments, etc... Each week usually comprised of at least one practice and usually two games on the weekend. All of the Bantam teams that VMB has fielded in the recent years have had great success, and for those players returning, and those coming up to Bantam for their first year, I believe it will be the same.

VMB is hopeful we will be able to field a Summer All-star team, which tryouts will be held later in the season, and begin play in early July. The Bantam division is designed to teach and further develop the player’s skills on the field, while further providing them the skills to respect one another, both teammates and opponents, and represent their city when traveling. Hard work and dedication to the team is vital to team success. It is one step away from playing on a full size diamond (Midget), where the possibilities of are endless. There are local scouts in the Okanagan area, and Vernon has sent many players to North American colleges and institutes in the past, having those schools provide post secondary education to the players, because of their skills. As the players will put forth their effort in making this division a success, it is equally important for you parents to do the same. Assisting the coaches on the field as well as off, such as field maintenance, scorekeeping, driving, team parent rep is essential. The coaches alone can’t do it all, as they will be volunteering countless hours a week to prepare them for their baseball success.

Any coaches who are interested in coaching at the Bantam level, for the spring and/or summer seasons, need to contact me as soon as possible. Once the registration is closer to completion, where we can see how many teams we will field, coaches will be selected, evaluations will be had, and eventually the season will begin.

An important reminder;

All players must have their own batting helmet, protective supporter, and glove, which can all be purchase locally here at Sun Valley Source for Sports, or any other sports selling stores in the area.

I look forward to seeing you all at the ball park! Remember to play hard and have fun!

Yours in Baseball,
Phil Joly – Bantam Director
Bantam@VernonBaseball.com