The stringed nets at 202 Sports Complex are ready to take a beating with the spring dek hockey season set to begin on Friday in Orange.
The league is already holding practices to ascertain player skill level to make the teams as fair as possible and the first ball will drop on Friday.
Scott Dubrule, president of the league, said this season should bring about 150 players from the North Quabbin region and beyond.
“Usually we are closer to 200,” Dubrule said. “Just like everything else things are diluted with more sports out there. A lot of parents don’t want to do more than one sport. A lot of the kids used to play baseball and hockey.”
The league began in 1993 and the biggest turnout the league has seen is over 300 players.
“With hockey, they are busy for two and a half minutes,” Dubrule said. “Then they take a break for two and a half minutes and then the other kids come out.”
The league has three separate divisions beginning with the Chipmunk (4-6 year-olds), Penguin (7-9), Beaver (10-12) and Cadet (13-16).
In recent seasons the league combined the two older divisions.
“There are not as many cadets,” Dubrule said. “Right now we have six teams of beavers and cadets.”
Players get equal playing time regardless of skill level.
“We also run a travel league,” Dubrule said. “But you have to make that team because there are only so many spots.”
In recent seasons, players from as far as Fitchburg, Gardner, Greenfield and East Brookfield have come to play in Orange.
Games are usually on Saturdays at 202 Sports with Tuesday games sprinkled in for the Chipmunks.
The first ball drops on Friday for the Penguins, April 15 for the Beavers and April 20 for the Chipmunks.
