Baseball’s increasing popularity in this country is seeing a rise in softball and little league players and league organizers in Drumheller feel more playable diamonds are needed. 

The town says its seen an increase of interest in the sports and recognizes the need for additional diamonds.

“We haven’t considered additional softball diamonds in the last ten years because we felt we haven’t needed it, but recently we’ve seen an increase in demand,” said Director of Community Services Paul Salvatore, adding that the town did however expand Newcastle to accommodate hardball in 2013.

With 23 teams in the league, rec slow-pitch organizer Amy Demille said additional diamonds could certainly be utilized.

“We’re struggling to find enough time,” said Demille, who said games are often called before the last inning because it gets too dark to play.

Drumheller Minor Baseball is feeling it, too.

“It would be good to look at the possibility of where a couple more diamonds could go,” said league president Lyle Cawiezel. 

“There are some that are not maintained. They wouldn’t have to be full sized and could be smaller diamonds used by the younger players.”

Salvatore said there are a number of unused and unmaintained diamonds in the valley and in surrounding settlements which could be used in lieu of creating new diamonds. These include diamonds in Nacmine, at DVSS, and Lion’s Park on Highway 837.

“A potential partnership with schools or these parks is a win-win,” said Salvatore.

New diamonds could be developed in conjunction with the baseball and softball leagues, similar to the town’s partnership with the Drumheller Soccer Association, he said. 

Salvatore said if area leagues are feeling in need for expanded diamonds to contact the town offices for consultation.

The U14 soccer team lost a close one last Thursday at home when they hosted Olds. Despite this, the team is playing well heading into the final stretch of the season. 

The Drumheller team hosted Olds on May 19, a perennially tough team. The U14s didn’t know what to expect.

“Last year I forget the score, but we were blown away, so I’m happy with how the played,” said coach Martha Chambers. “It was a pretty even match.”

Olds scored three goals right out of the gate. Chambers said Olds controlled the ball well and kept the Drumheller team caught up in the neutral area. 

At half time, Chambers said they refocused and came out ready in the second half.

“This is our game, we are not ending this with a zero on the score sheet,” she said.

“The kids got two goals right away, had we had so much momentum, if we had 10 more minutes, we would have scored again.”

Finding the net for Drumheller was Chase Chambers and Chiko Banda. The final score was 3-2 Olds.

Coach Chambers is heartened that they are able to be competitive with some of the stronger teams in the league heading down the stretch of the season.

Currently, according to www.bigcountrysoccer.com, Drumheller U14 is in first place with a 3-2-1 record, followed by Olds with a 3-0 record and three games in hand. This week Drumheller faces Linden.