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Officials with the newly-launched Western Valley Baseball Association (WVBA) will be working hard this spring and summer to get local players to come out for competitive minor baseball teams which will encompass the region from Woodstock to the Perth-Andover area.

They'll also be encouraging local athletes to try out for rec teams in communities which offer minor baseball programs, including Woodstock, who will suit up in the Western Valley League.

Blaine Tompkins of Woodstock will guide the WVBA as its president, with Edward Harvey of Bristol as vice-president, Brett Sprague of Perth-Andover as secretary and John Clark of Woodstock as treasurer.

Directors are Tim Wiebe (T-Ball), Andrew McCormick (Rookie), Jake Smith (Pee Wee), Kirk Giberson (Bantam), Sheri Giberson (fundraising) and Jack Taylor (Development).

The group's mosquito director position has yet to be filled.

Tompkins says the association marks a re-birth, of sorts, for local efforts on behalf of minor baseball players.

"Our main goal over the coming weeks is to get as many players as possible interested in trying out, or signing up for our baseball systems," he said. "Our competitive squads in the WVBA will encompass all areas in the Western Valley region and will play in the Fredericton leagues. We're hoping to field at least one competitive team per division for mosquito, pee wee and bantam."

"The competitive teams who will take part in the Fredericton leagues are open to all players in the Western Valley area," he said. "Tryouts for these teams are still to be announced, as they are dependent on weather and the local fields being ready this month in time for baseball. We're hoping to reach out to as many communities as possible in the Western Valley to encourage players there to come out for ball. In addition, we are getting the word out that we have lowered our recreational level pricing from $120 to $60 per player for our Woodstock Minor Baseball Association, in order to encourage more parents to sign up their children. We also would like to start a pee wee rec division, but that will be dependent on interest. If a player tries out for a competitive squad and makes the team, they will be required to pay additional fees to cover Baseball New Brunswick's registration costs and insurance. These teams may compete in the A or AA level zones and provincials."

Tompkins says the MVBA will be geared to getting as many players as possible on the field this season.

"If a competitive squad has the majority of players from a certain community or area in the Western Valley besides Woodstock, we do have the option to have that team based there," he said. "We're trying to make this association as productive and responsive as possible in relation to player development, and promotion, of this great sport."

The Woodstock association will also be hosting skill clinics at NBCC Woodstock this spring on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for ages 12 and up.

These 90-minute sessions are free of charge.

Those wishing to try out for the WVBA's competitive teams, or want more information on how to register for rec ball, may call 328-2155, or e-mail to btompkins@xplornet.com.

They may also contact any member of the WVBA's executive.