ON Saturday and Sunday the North Eastern Baseball Association was graced with the presence of Ben Laux, the Victorian State under 16's coach.

Ben hosted a 'Coach the Coaches' training session on Friday evening before putting more than 30 children through their paces on the Saturday morning.

Laux said regional towns have plenty of unearthed talent.

"The kids that play baseball in regional towns have raw talent," Laux said.

"It's this type of talent that we as city coaches love as we can mould these players into superstars."

Ben has seen many children go through his programs who end up being signed to major league clubs.

"Baseball is a game that can be played by all ages and abilities," Laux said.

The North Eastern Baseball Association has been growing at a rapid rate over the past few years going from zero junior teams to looking to host a total of 13 junior grades in season 2023.

McDonalds across the North East and the Border have generously supported the league helping them purchase new uniforms for all representative players, coaches and officials for the 2023 to 2027 seasons.

This has allowed NEBA to keep the fee structure for these representative players to a minimum allowing a larger group of children to be able to afford to participate.

Involvement in the game of baseball Australia–wide has been increasing as more exposure to the game sweeps the country.

Recent televised events including the Baseball World Cup have generated more interest from the younger generation and this has seen a spike in junior numbers and interest in the North East has been no different.

The Wangaratta Rangers hosted a come and try program throughout February with more than 40 junior players from six–year–olds to 16 in attendance.

The North Eastern Baseball Association now hosts three separate age group competitions.

Under 12's play a modified rules game of baseball where the distance between the bases is shortened and the coach pitches the ball to the batters for more consistency.

The under 15's competition is played on a smaller diamond but most of the standard rules apply and the under 18's competition is a full version of the senior game.

The league also hosts an A and a B grade division.

Teams are located in Benalla, Wangaratta, Albury, Wodonga and Porepunkah.

The season opener is April 23 (seniors only) and the following week the remainder of the league joins in.