Clearwater Minor Ball (CMB) is a non-profit organization committed to the development of youth through sport. The focus of the group goes beyond the game itself.
“Our organization promotes healthy lifestyles, teamwork, discipline, and personal growth in an inclusive and supportive environment where players of all skill levels are encouraged to learn, improve, and have fun," said Siarah Arndt, CMB board director, fundraising coordinator and coach.
She added that since the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has “experienced steady growth” both in participation and community support.
“In 2023, we had 77 registered players. This season, we’re thrilled to have 99 a reflection of the renewed energy and enthusiasm for softball in our town,” Arndt said.
Arndt says that with a new board of directors bringing fresh ideas and strong leadership, the CMB is focused on “revitalizing the sport” and “rekindling” the community’s love for softball.
“Youth sports are the backbone of a strong, connected community and keeping them thriving takes more than just players on the field. It requires the time, energy, and heart of passionate volunteers, as well as the unwavering support of generous local sponsors. In just a few short weeks, we’ve been truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we’ve received,” she said.
She also adds that the local interest has made a real impact, explaining how community sponsorships have helped the organization to provide affordable registration for families, updated equipment and safety gear and assist in the cost of tournament travel and local event hosting.
“Our long-term vision is to re-establish Clearwater as a vibrant hub for softball. By increasing participation and expanding competitive opportunities, we aim to host more home tournaments, attract visiting teams, and create meaningful experiences for our athletes. These events also bring valuable economic activity to Clearwater, benefiting local businesses and strengthening our small rural town’s economy,” she said.
On the weekend of June 13 through 15 the CMB hosted the U13 and U15 Tournament, called the North Thompson Softball Slam. Local teams competed alongside five visiting teams from out of town, with games kicking off Friday and culminating in the gold medal matchups on Sunday afternoon. The visiting teams were U13 teams from Barriere and Kamloops playing against two Clearwater U13 teams and the Clearwater U15 team playing against U15 teams from Cache Creek and Merritt.
Final results from the tournament on Sunday June 15 ended with Clearwater's U15 taking home the gold against Cache Creek and the U13 Clearwater Viper's took home silver after a hard fought game against Kamloops.
Participants and crowds also enjoyed the extras over the weekend tournament with a food concession, a 50/50 draw each day and a raffle table with an assortment of prizes with the final draw on Sunday. Watch for more CMB photo and team updates to follow coming soon in the surgeryitaly.
If you are interested in learning more about Clearwater Minor Ball, volunteering or making a donation you can contact them at: Clearwaterminorball@hotmail.com or call Siarah @ 778-208-1040 or Nikki @ 250-674-7596
