Minor baseball is growing in Owen Sound and looking to form a partnership with the city to upgrade several diamonds.
The city’s community services committee heard a delegation during their meeting Wednesday from the Owen Sound Junior Baysox minor baseball program.
Owen Sound Junior Baysox President Jesse Edmunds told committee members there has been tremendous growth in minor baseball participation over the past few years. He says since 2021, the Junior Baysox program has seen a 134 per cent increase in membership. They’re also up to eight travel teams this year.
“We now have an 18 person volunteer executive,” Edmunds says. “And between 80 to 100 volunteers that support the league activities through coaching and other positions.”
The Jr Baysox are hoping the city would consider fencing-in a few of the baseball diamonds they use regularly, at Kinsmen Ball Park and Harrison Field. They also have some more extensive redesign ideas to consider longer term.
Currently, none of the baseball diamonds the Jr Baysox use regularly on are enclosed.
Kinsmen Ball Park was described as the unofficial home of Owen Sound Minor Baseball. The 8th Avenue West facility is where Jr Baysox teams play and practice the most. The Harrison Field diamonds are also used for practices. The organization also occasionally books diamonds at St George’s, Kelso and Julien Parks as needed. Demand has also driven the Jr Baysox to some ball diamonds in Georgian Bluffs: Balmy Beach and Shallow Lake.
“In order to keep up with the growth of baseball in the area, Owen Sound is in need of additional diamond space or to upgrade current facilities,” Edmunds explains. “As an association, we really do recognize and understand that baseball fields are generally a city-asset that are revenue neutral at best. And more often than not the user fees do not cover the cost to maintain them.”
“So we’re here proposing a partnership with the City of Owen Sound to help identify and make needed and wanted improvements to the local baseball facilities.”
He estimates the proposed fence installations could cost between $58,000 to $76,000, but with volunteer support the bill could be substantially lower. In all, it’s about 1,800 linear feet of fencing the Jr Baysox are hoping to have installed at Kinsmen Ball Park and Harrison Field.
Currently, the city’s 2025-2029 capital budget does not allocate any dollars towards the fields primarily used by Owen Sound Minor Baseball.
Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says the city is currently undertaking a service level review of a number of parks assets.
“This information would be really helpful to include as part of that overall review,” she says.
The Jr Baysox are hopeful new fencing could also create advertising opportunities to generate revenue for capital improvements. And they’re looking to the city to design a field naming rights program as another avenue to help finance upgrades.
Edmunds adds the vision for Owen Sound minor baseball is “truly to have baseball as a vital thread woven into community here.”
“We believe that youth sport encompasses far more than just wins and losses on the field,” the Owen Sound Minor Baseball president says. “Our commitment goes deeper. We strive to shape not only skilled baseball players, but also resilient leaders who actively contribute to the betterment of the community.”
Community Services Committee Chair and Coun. Melanie Middlebro’: “It’s great to hear of the success and growth of the program. That’s amazing to hear. And for you to come in the spirit of collaboration is great. And I think it’s a good start to open up a conversation with staff for future endeavours.”