Sports

RANKIN INLET - Planning for the 2007 softball season is underway as the Rankin Inlet Co-ed Softball League held its first meeting June 4 at the hamlet office.

A major difference this summer may be having umpires at every game throughout the season.

Robert Connelly, league president, said he would put together an estimate of how much it would cost to train and hire umpires for the upcoming season, after it was suggested by one of the team captains during the meeting.

"I think it would make it more fun," said Hamish Tatty. "Some people don't even know the rules, what a strike zone is."

Connelly said he would look into the matter, and would defer deciding how much league registration and insurance fees would be per team. Last year each team paid $250 for registration.

Fred Montpetit, league treasurer said the league was in great financial shape this year, carrying a balance of just over $25,000.

"The league turned a profit, even with all the community donations they did last year," said Montpetit, noting the league donated almost $9,000 to various charitable organizations. Most of the money was raised through bingo, said Montpetit, with the league profiting anywhere between $5,000 to $8,000 per slot. "We're in very nice shape."

The league contributed $5,000 to the hamlet for ball field renovations last April. David Clark, hamlet recreation coordinator, said the hamlet is still looking at where the money will be spent. He said they will purchase more limestone and are looking at foam piping to go over the fence to protect anyone who might fall onto it.

Connelly asked Clark if the hamlet could look at packing the sand more often, perhaps once every two weeks.

Connelly also discussed having a clinic for this season.

He had already spoken with the umpire-in-chief from Manitoba on holding the clinic. With snow still covering the ball field, Connelly said they would likely hold the clinic the week before the July long weekend, potentially the day after the Midnight Sun Run. Although this wasn't ideal, members agreed that it was best to hold the clinic prior to the beginning of ball season, so this was most suitable window.

The next meeting will be held around June 15.