Kim Fundingsland / MDN These 3-4 year old T-ball players cover the center of the infield in a Tuesday night game at 11th and 11th Park. The popular Sertoma League is a fundraiser for Full STEAM Ahead.

There’s a ball on the ground for the shortstop, but then nobody really knows who the shortstop is or, for that matter, where the shortstop is. Or what to do with the ball. It doesn’t matter. The batter doesn’t know it’s time to run or exactly which direction to go.

Ah, summer boys and girls.

Welcome to the Sertoma T-ball League, where players, parents and coaches are all on the court at the same time. Things can get pretty muddled as well. But then it’s all part of the 3 year olds having fun and learning how to interact with others while learning what the American hobby is all about.

“Our first year in 2016, we had planned 100 children and 220 showed up to register” said Ali Auch, Executive Director of Full STEAM Ahead. “This year, we have 677 children registered in 58 different teams. “

Demand for the Evening League has been so high that games are now played four nights a week on Diamonds at 11th and 11th Park, Polaris Park and Radio City Park. The league is aimed at players from the age of 3 to kindergarten. It operates independently of the Minot Parks and Recreation T-ball leagues, which are aimed at kids in kindergarten and above.

Ali Auch, Executive Director of Full STEAM Ahead, enjoys an evening T-ball game. Almost 700 young people participate in the program.

“We are sure to fill a void” said Auch. “The leagues are very successful. The children want to go out and play together. Some people may not make the connection that this is a fundraiser for other youth events. It turned out to be a beautiful thing.

The dollars raised are used to fund Full STEAM Ahead, an umbrella organization that introduces young people to science, technology, engineering, the arts and math. STEAM opportunities are intended for children from Kindergarten to 17 years old.

“They come to play T-ball at age 3 and in a few years, at age 6, they get into acting, pottery, coding or robotics, which is the biggest thing funded by that. “, Auch explained.

STEAM started out with a nonprofit K-8 theater and added various programs to the mix, mostly at a 2,000-foot multi-purpose facility near the Dakota Square Mall. The latest addition to STEAM is “Girls who code” a nationally recognized organization for familiarizing children with what it takes to get a desired response from a computer.

“My 9 year old daughter just finished a coding course through them. I was amazed that they could offer a free coding program ”, says Yvette Simmons, Minot. “They had tablet computers and workbooks for the kids. It is simply amazing what they provide.

No less than 15 robotics teams have been registered with STEAM, meeting at various locations with several schools represented. The plays are performed at STEAM’s facilities but, according to Auch, other venues such as Roosevelt Park and the MSU Summer Theater have also been used.

Simmons’ involvement with STEAM extends to the T-ball field, where she helps train the “Lawyers,” a nickname inspired by the green shirts worn by team members.

“This is just one of the many wonderful things Minot has to offer. We love to accommodate children from 3 to 4 years old. This league offers a unique opportunity for these little ones – what it’s like to play team sport in a very stress-free way.

Parents and grandparents also enjoy games, sitting on lawn chairs or standing along fences and watching the youngsters on the diamond.

“The evening games are there so that parents can attend” said Auch. “We welcome grandmother and grandfather, aunts and uncles. Everyone comes out and watches.

The cost to play in the Sertoma T-ball league is $ 30 per player. In the first year, these costs went mainly to equipment and rental costs. Now local businesses are sponsoring teams, covering the cost of team jerseys, equipment and pitch rental. A big boost to the program came from the Sertoma Club in Minot, which has donated $ 10,000 to Full STEAM Ahead to date.

You can find more information about what Full STEAM Ahead has to offer on their website at steamnd.org.

The latest news of the day and more in your inbox