Reed Fraser (Image Credit: CFJC Today/Anthony Corea)
Fall ball

KMBA reports growing registration numbers; Turkey Classic stuffing Mac Isle

Oct 9, 2026 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Nearly 60 teams from across B.C. and Alberta will be in Kamloops this Thanksgiving weekend for the Turkey Classic. 


For the Kamloops RiverDogs of the Kamloops Minor Baseball Association (KMBA), the Big League Experience Best of the West tournament takes place in the fall season, which is used to evaluate players ahead of the 2027 spring campaign. 

“If you win [the tournament] you get a pretty big ring and that’s pretty cool,” said Reed Fraser, who will play this weekend for the 15-and-under RiverDogs. “It just feels like playing baseball, to be honest. I don’t worry about the evaluations too much.” 

Fraser, who hopes to play AAA ball next year, is among the 498 athletes who registered for the KMBA fall season. 

Numbers provided to CFJC Today by the KMBA indicate growth in the fall over the last three years, with 442 players registered in 2024 and 458 registered in 2025. 

“Coaching is getting better, our programs are getting better, it’s an affordable sport and I think kids are enjoying it with the Blue Jays having success, as well,” KMBA program director Frank Ingram said, referring to the Canadian MLB club’s World Series appearance in 2025. 

In the fall season, which runs from September through Thanksgiving weekend, 6U through 18U recreational programming is offered and competitive invitational programs are in place for the 13U, 15U and 18U age groups. 

In the spring, there is high performance and recreational programming from the 5U to 18U age groups, along with challenger and adaptive baseball programs. 

The KMBA-submitted numbers suggest significant registration growth in the spring after a dip amid the pandemic. 

In 2019, 712 athletes registered, far more than the 450 who signed up for the post-COVID 2021 campaign. 

Numbers have risen steadily since 2021, with 905 taking to the diamond for the spring season in 2026. 

“Just being able to play with all my friends out there,” said Ian Monzac of the 15U RiverDogs when asked what he enjoys about the game. “It’s very exciting. You get to hang out and play baseball, do what you’ve done your whole life.” 

The KMBA is on the lookout for coaches, with a particular need in its younger divisions.

Go online to bigleagueexperience.com for complete Turkey Classic tournament schedules. The RiverDogs are expected to field seven teams across four divisions.