The Windermere Minor Baseball Association kicked off its season on Monday, May 7 and for the first time in more than 10 years, the league has switched to a free format for all the kids involved.

After a successful season last year that saw some money left over as surplus, the money was used this year to help expose as many kids as possible to baseball, said Brendan Donahue, the association’s new president.

“To me, it’s a sport that people can do for a lot of years and, like all sports, it’s easier to learn when you’re young,” Donahue said. “That’s what I get out of it the most.”

Donahue first got involved with the league as a coach, a role he will continue alongside his role as president this season. The past president had stepped down after serving for a number of years, and at one point it looked like the league may not run at all this year — if not for Donahue and several others stepping up to take responsibility.

“Ball is an important thing for us to continue to have at least at a fun level,” Donahue said.

The league currently has about 150 players from ages four to thirteen, and while most of the divisions are full, Donahue said they are still looking for a few more kids in the six to nine age group. To register, visit the Columbia Valley Recreation website and follow the links. Games take place on Mondays and Wednesdays and the season runs until the end of June.