Leagues healthy as play begins on local diamonds
These are exciting times for softball around Saskatoon, according to newly elected Saskatoon Minor Softball League president Kent Kostuk.
“I haven’t seen teams outdoors this early in a long time,” Kostuk says. “Last year when we were building the league schedules there was six inches of snow on the ground. This year, the grass was starting to green.”
Fans can look forward to seeing adults and kids on the diamond on time this season, as league play will begin Sunday, May 3.
There’s been some significant off-season developments for the league. The SMSL has rebranded the Rookie league as LTP (Learn To Play) to align it with the programs in place with Softball Canada and Softball Saskatchewan. Teams include U10 (Mites), U8 (Rookie), and U6 (BlastBall).
Softball Saskatchewan is assisting the league in relaunching its spring LTP coaching clinic. Marla Laskowski will lead the sessions, which start April 21. They’re designed to help coaches and parents better lead the skill development of grassroots players. Details can be found on the league and zone websites.
Another new initiative is the addition of U14 boys’ teams to the Selects program. The SMSL now has all male athletes from the U18 to U14 age groups in this program. The plan for next season is to expand this to U12 athletes, as well.
There’s 52 teams this season playing in nine divisions in the three junior (U12-U16) age classes. Overall, SMSL numbers are down slightly, but the U12 and LTP numbers are very healthy and thus creating a bright future for the league.
In the adult league, Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association president Bryan Kosteroski is pleased with the addition of three teams, bumping the total to 51 and creating the largest adult fastpitch softball league in the country.
Kosteroski is particularly excited to have at least eight teams in each of the SASA’s three men’s and three women’s divisions.
Another positive is an increased number of umpires after years of decline. There is still a need for more officials, so a clinic for new umpires is planned for this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sask Polytechnic. For more information, prospective umpires can contact Bernie Burtney at burtneyb@shaw.ca.
There will be lots of local interest around international softball this summer.
Saskatoon will host training camps for junior men’s and women’s national teams May 29-31. Todd McCulloch, who coaches with the Saskatoon Poly Plus Jr. Diamondbacks, will be with the men that weekend, after being named to Canada’s junior men’s coaching staff. The two biggest international softball events this summer are the Pan American Games in Toronto, and the 2015 men’s world championship, starting June 26 in Saskatoon. The SASA will send at least one player to Pan Ams, as Saskatoon Tigers infielder Megan Gurksi was named to the women’s national team.
Fans must wait until June 3 to see if a local player will be on the men’s national team. That is when head coach John Stuart will announce his team at a press conference in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon Sr. Diamondback pitcher Devon McCullough is one of 20 possible players, with Stuart selecting 17 for worlds and 15 for the Pan Am Games. No doubt the participation of a local player would increase the already strong interest in the men’s world championship. Local organizers continue to seek volunteers for the world championship. The next volunteer registration night will be held at the Saskatoon Inn Tuesday, April 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.