After 15 years of operating separately, the South Okanagan Minor Baseball Association (SOMBA) and Penticton Minor Baseball Association (PMBA) are joining forces.
The new amalgamated association will keep the SOMBA brand and is committed to a vision.
“To provide a positive baseball experience for youth in the South Okanagan,” said new president Aqil Samuel. “We feel it is in the best interest of all stakeholders involved, especially youth baseball players, to operate under one association instead of two. One association will allow us to leverage the strengths of both associations in order to provide a baseball program that everyone in the South Okanagan can be proud of.”
SOMBA is a member in good standing with BC Baseball (formerly BC Minor Baseball) and will provide a program for players aged five to 18 years.
Depending on the age group, SOMBA will offer separate winter, spring, summer and fall seasons to fit the needs of players from recreational house league players to elite rep.
In the announcement made by the association, SOMBA states its need for committed, high energy people on the new board that would make sure that they are being transparent and communicate to all stakeholders in a timely manner.
On the association’s short term priority list is completing the amalgamation, finding a midget coach/technical director for the elite midget AAA program and to set up and establishing a winter program for all levels to start in early January to lead into the spring season.
Samuel confirmed they have received applicants to replace Midget AAA coach Junior Deleon from the Lower Mainland, the Interior, Alberta and as far away as Manitoba. They are currently in the interview process with the applicants and plan to have someone in place in the new year.
More information on the association can be found at www.SOMBATigers.com, facebook.com/SOMBABaseball and Twitter: @SOMBABaseball.