For the last month, Battlefords Minor Softball teams of all ages have been enjoying a return to game-play on the local diamonds. (Submitted photo/Battlefords Minor Baseball Association)

By Martin Martinson

A home run

Battlefords Minor Softball looking ahead to provincials as successful season wraps

Jun 30, 2021 | 5:19 PM

As the spring season largely wraps up with the end of the month, Battlefords Minor Softball can look back at the 2021 campaign as a success in the community.

President of the Battlefords Minor Softball Association, Darren Russell said reflecting back on the year, it was almost a tale of two seasons, as restriction changes mid-spring provided a new outlook for teams.

“It’s been a bit of a different year, with the first half being just practicing in pods, and then since the Sask. government opened things up a bit, we’ve been playing games, which has been pretty awesome to get back to,” Russell said. “I leave work every day now and when I drive by the diamonds, there’s kids playing, there’s people watching, and smiling faces, so that’s great to see.”

Because of the late start to gameplay, the softball season this year was a bit of a condensed one. Majority of the minor softball teams at the various age groups are closing out their schedule this week— if they haven’t already. Outside of those headed to provincials, which are still to come, late next month.

One team at each age group locally will attend provincials this year, including a single representative at each of the U12, U14, U16, and U19 levels (U10 provincials were cancelled this year).

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This summer marks a return to provincials for the first time in over two years for the local teams after last year’s competitions were cancelled across the board due to the pandemic.

Russell said from players to coaches and parents, everyone’s looking forward to getting back at it for a competitive tournament-style event once again.

“Even just at the [regular] ball games, everyone’s excited to be back out there again with us playing ball,” he said. “I’ve talked to a few parents who are all looking forward to getting back to provincials and you know the [players] are too, to see a weekend’s worth of ball.”

Ahead of provincials, the U14 and U16 teams will also each play in a tournament in Moose Jaw. The U16s will play July 9-11, with the U14s taking the diamond the following weekend, July 16-18.

Provincials will then begin with a bang for the community teams, as the U12s (in Prince Albert), U14s (Saskatoon), and U16s (Regina), will all play July 23-25 at their various tournaments around the region. The U19s will then play Aug. 6-8 in Regina.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1