Ahead of their 99th season in the diamond, the Marysburg Royals are welcoming a younger generation to take part in the game.

The Royals are holding their 8th Annual Baseball Camp for kids to come out and learn the game.

Curtis Strueby with the Royals says that they are expecting a big number of kids out this weekend.

"We've had an incredible response. By far our largest response in the eight years we have been doing this," he explained. "We actually have capped it on Saturday. We had to turn some away, unfortunately."

Strueby added that they still do have some spots on for Sunday's session.

He says that registration is up for baseball across the province and part of that may be due to a spike in popularity with Canada's Major League Baseball team.

"I think the Blue Jays have a lot to do with it and the success they have had in the last couple of years," said Strueby. "But it is like anything, it goes in cycles. There was a few down years but now it is back on the upswing."

Following the camp, attention turns to the Royals themselves, as they get set to open another season.

"We added some young guys from the Midget team in Muenster last year - a couple kids from Lake Lenore and one from Muenster that are coming to play with us," noted Strueby of the makeup of this year's team. "A really solid core nucleus of players back once again. A really good mix of older players and some really young guys."

Strueby says that they are enjoying the fact that players want to continue their love for the game with the Royals.

"Although the core group we have are right from Marysburg, it has been nice the last few years to have those guys come in and play and they have all been part of the game for a long time and know what they're doing," he said. "It's become an area thing and we in Marysburg are very appreciative of that fact that they are coming out, because we need them."

The Royals have their season opener in Saskatoon on May 15 against the Stallions. Their home opener will be a doubleheader against the Hoppers on Sunday, May 28.