Growing the Game: Girls baseball Taking Off at East Nepean

On Sundays in Barrhaven, the sound of baseball fills local diamonds: the crack of the bat, cheers from the dugout, and young athletes calling for the ball. At the East Nepean Baseball Association (ENBA), that sound reflects the continued growth of Girls baseball in the community.

Girls are not just stepping onto the baseball field; they are discovering that they belong there.

Girls baseball in Ottawa has evolved from a small initiative into a regional league, and ENBA has been part of that growth since launching its program in 2022. Today, the regional league includes more than 45 teams across 8 participatory organizations.

At East Nepean, participation has expanded each year. The association now fields multiple teams in every age category from 7 to 14. For the 2026 season, ENBA will introduce its first Senior team (ages 15–16), completing a development pathway that allows players to continue competing as they grow.

In 2025, approximately 528 girls participated in Girls baseball across Ottawa, including 109 players from ENBA.

“Girls baseball is about creating space and opportunity,” says Tara Siebarth, East Nepean Girls Baseball Coordinator. “When we launched in 2022, we knew there was interest, but seeing the growth, the confidence in our players, and the sense of community that has formed has been incredible. Adding the Senior division means our athletes now have a true pathway to continue developing and competing.”

Year-Round Development

The Girls baseball program extends beyond the regular season. The league offers:

• Regular season play (May to July), with games played on Sundays.

• Fall development program.

• Winter training camps.

This year-round structure provides players with continued opportunities to build skills and stay engaged with the sport.

ENBA teams also participate in local and regional tournaments, including the Scott Tokessy Tournament and the Eastern Canadian Girls Championships.

Regional Collaboration

ENBA participates alongside other Ottawa-area organizations including Ottawa West Little League (OWLL), South Ottawa Little League (SOLL), Kanata Baseball Association (KBA), Mississippi Mills Little League (MML), Glebe Little League (GLL), Carleton-Russell, and Orleans Little League (OLL). Together, these organizations form the Ottawa Girls baseball program.

“Community baseball is strongest when it reflects the families it serves,” says Bruce Campbell, President of the East Nepean Baseball Association. “The growth of Girls baseball is one of the most exciting developments we’ve seen in recent years. We are proud to support a program that builds confidence, leadership, and a lifelong love of the game.”

2026 Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2026 season is underway.

In addition to Girls baseball, the East Nepean Baseball Association offers:

• Rally Cap Program (entry-level introduction to baseball).

• Co-Ed divisions (Rookie, Minor, Major, Junior, and Senior).

• Challenger Baseball (an adaptive program for players with cognitive or physical disabilities).

• 19U program for older athletes.

Participation continues to grow across all divisions, reflecting strong community interest in local baseball programs.

Families interested in registering can visit eastnepeanbaseball.on.ca for more information.

At East Nepean, everyone plays. Everyone belongs.