The melting snow is a reminder that sunnier, much warmer days are ahead for the region. And with those warmer days will come summer sports.
One of the most popular sports in the region, baseball and softball are preparing to kick off with a couple programs, according to Portage la Prairie's Umpire in Chief, Trent Lepine. He notes that whether your child is new to baseball, or a seasoned veteran, there will be something for them in the region.
"We have this Thursday coming up. It's called Try Baseball. It's for ages from four to ten, just to come out to try out baseball and see how it is. It's at Southport gym from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. It's free, so, if the kids want to try baseball, go out there and see how it is and go from there."
Lepine is in charge of getting umpires organized for baseball events in the region, and he says there will be some events to begin training for that as well, running April 27.
"Portage is hosting the level 1 and level 2 baseball clinic at Stride place at, I believe from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., it will be at multi-purpose room, and I will be teaching the Level 1 and our former Umpire in Chief also still an umpire, Kevin Le Lievre, he will be teaching the level 2."
Lepine adds that he always welcomes new people to trying out umpiring, or people who haven't done it for a while.
"Absolutely. Either new people or even if somebody who's been umpired 20 years ago and want to get back into it, I'll take them all more. I'd rather have like, new kids come in who's interested in playing, who played baseball, but they want umpire. Come on in. It's fun, it's great to learn."