By JOE McFARLAND

As quickly as the Little League baseball season began, it felt like it was over.

Kids and teenagers start flocking to local baseball diamonds in April, with tournaments and championships in the summer and fall ball wrapping up by the end of October.

For Kevin Kvame, it’s almost too quick.

Reflecting on the 2024 season following the Little League Alberta Awards Gala and Dinner, the organization’s president and CEO says the years always fly by with the many teams and new families getting into the swing of baseball.

But when the dust settled and everyone was able to take a deep breath, it was another banner year for the game in Alberta.

“Whether it’s our organization or one of the other youth organizations in the province, I see continual growth,” Kvame told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “There is continual excitement about the game, both for the young men and young women who are aspiring to play.”

The gala was part of Little League’s annual Coaching, Training and Leadership Conference on Nov. 22-24 in Calgary, which saw a number of focuses to continue that growth.

MAKING MEMORIES

Highlighted by YYC Softball Little League out of Calgary capturing national gold and representing Canada at the Senior League World Series in Sussex County, it was another great year for the organization.

The province had representatives at nationals in all seven Little League divisions, including the Medicine Hat Major AAA Mavs coming within one win of heading to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series.

While it would have been nice to have Alberta’s first team at the renowned tournament since 2001, Kvame says it’s more important that interest in the game continues to rise as more kids want to play baseball while more teams are being created to fill that need.

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He says it’s important to make it as easy as possible for the families so that they want to keep coming back.

“It can be a stressful thing moving kids around in youth sports,” Kvame said. “We want it to be positive for the kids, so we put up as many bumper rails to guide them and make sure they have a good experience.”

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

The positive atmosphere was a key element of the three-day conference, which was well-attended despite a cold and snowy blast from Old Man Winter.

From coach and umpire development to scheduling and social media, everything was on the table during several information sessions.

One of the more popular presentations came from Leigh Podlesny of Positive Coaching Alliance, as Kvame says coaches and parents in the stands need to be in a positive frame of mind in youth sports.

“If you keep the atmosphere as positive as you can, you have a very good chance of attaining that ultimate goal of bringing back the kid the following year,” he said.

“If you’re out there trying to blame umpires or coaches for bad decisions or that kind of thing, you’re likely to turn the kids off and not have them come back.”

Many of the sessions were focused on keeping the game player-centric, with learning and fun being at the forefront.

GIRLS GOT GAME

A major theme throughout the conference was women in baseball and softball.

The opening keynote was delivered by Little League Director of Softball Development Ashlea Miller, who led a few conversations about the topic including a Girls Softball Summit.

It turned out to be timely with the recent announcement about a professional women’s baseball league coming in 2026.

“I think the message is that the doors are open for females that would like to try baseball or softball in Little League,” Kvame said. “Come, have fun, and see what you can do … we want you to be a part of our program and we would be excited to have you.”

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Little League World Series alumni and current Vancouver Canadians athletic therapist Katie Reyes was the gala’s special guest.

Her journey in the game took her from baseball in her hometown of Vancouver to softball and back to baseball again, which she hopes is a valuable lesson for any young girl thinking of getting into the game.

“There are some doors that you try to knock down and sometimes the answer is ‘no’ immediately,” Reyes told Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast. “Sometimes the answer is ‘no’ the second, third and fourth time, but I think if you keep trying and trying your best and your hardest, opportunities will knock.”

THE MORE, THE MERRIER

Looking ahead to 2025, Kvame says his goals aren’t deviating from the ones he set this past year.

He believes there is something special happening with baseball in the province as young athletes can now see pathways to success, whether it’s being part of a team or dreaming of college or the big leagues.

Kvame says the key is awareness of all the programming, including summer ball and the Challenger program, to get as many kids playing the game as possible.

“Are we increasing our membership and are we retaining the players we already have in Little League,” he said. “That’s an annual effort – it doesn’t matter if it’s 2020 or 2025 or I’m hoping it’s the same in 2040.”

As fast as the season seems to fly by, Kvame says the more happy ball players they have, the better the program and the future for baseball in Alberta.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE GAME

The 2024 Little League Alberta Awards recognized the best coaches, umpires, officials and volunteers for their service and dedication to the game.

Among the highlights was the 45-year long service award to Calgary’s Denis Wren, which earned the Little League Alberta Life Member an exuberant applause for his involvement in the game in a variety of roles including Centennial Little League president and provincial coordinator for Challenger Baseball.

It was also an emotional night as Calgary coach Kris Iverson was honoured posthumously for his service, with his son accepting the award to a tear-filled standing ovation.

Here is a full list of all 2024 Little League Alberta Award winners:

Marthe Dubroy Award

Glenda Kurtz – District 1 (Chinook West/Norcrest/South Chief/Lethbridge Little League)

Outstanding Service

Doug McLean – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton)
Parker Nowitsky – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton)

President’s Award

Jocelyn Edey – District 2 (Confederation Park – Edmonton)
Kyle Thicksen – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton)

President’s Honour Roll

Derek Sung – District 3 (Foothills)

Special Exemplary Service/Terry Murphy Award

Bruce Barber – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton)

Junior Umpire of the Year

Elliott Spratlin – Little League Alberta

Umpire of the Year

Trevor Selanders – Little League Alberta

Welcome Award

Royce Loh – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton)
Keith Taylor – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton )

Exemplary Service Award

Eric Dulong – District 3 (Foothills)
Todd Holt – District 8 (Calgary West)
Steve Jones – District 3 (Calgary East)
Mike Koy – District 8 (Calgary)
Erin MacNeill – District 7 (Elnora/Ponoka/YYC Softball)
Mike Mickleberry – District 3 (Calgary East)
Corey O’How – District 3 (Cochrane)
Aaron Skelhorne – District 2 (Community Park/East Park/Confederation Park – Edmonton)
Jennifer Wickson – District 3 (Foothills)
Kyla Yarkwosky – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton)

Long Service Coaching

Jeff Brewer – District 3 (Centennial) – 10 years
Darryl Craft – District 3 (Foothills) – 15 years
Kris Iverson – District 3 (Calgary East)- 10 years
Glenn Tyson – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton) – 9 years

Long Service Coach/Volunteer

Steve Hicks – District 3 (Foothills) – 10 years
Nathan Kathol – District 3 (Chestermere) – 10 years

Long Service Volunteer

Dean Fargey – District 2 (East Park – Edmonton) – 40 years
James Fischer – District 2 (Community Park – Edmonton) – 16 years
Corey Hein – District 3 (ADA Operations) – 20 years
Yvette Hicks – District 3 (Foothills) – 10 years
Steve Jones – District 3 (Calgary East) – 15 years
Michael Karastas – District 3 (Calgary East) – 35 years
Adam Smith – District 3 (District Umpire-in-Chief) – 30 years
Regan Turner – District 3 (Langdon) – 15 years
Denis Wren – District 3 (Centennial) – 45 years

Long Service Umpire

Chris Adams – District 3 (Foothills) – 7 years
Kevin Alenius – District 8 (Calgary Rocky Mountain/Calgary West/Calgary South/Fish Creek) – 10+ years
Mark Alenius – District 8 (Calgary Rocky Mountain/Calgary West/Calgary South/Fish Creek) – 10+ years
Dave Brown – District 8 (Calgary Rocky Mountain/Calgary West/Calgary South/Fish Creek) – 10+ years