Reds catcher seeing double duty

Woodside part of host crew for nationals

Anyone taking in games at the national senior women’s fastpitch championship in O’Leary this week should find Sarah Woodside catching for the host Scotiabank Reds.

And anyone at Ellis Field between games just might catch a glimpse of her helping out behind the scenes.

“Basically, I show up to the field, ready to play, but this one might be a little different,” said the town’s 2016 Miss Potato Blossom queen.

As a summer staff member with the O’Leary Recreation Department, the 18-year-old Woodside helps prepare the field for games, which run from Wednesday through to Sunday. She’ll also be ready to help between games, if needed.

This is the second national championship the Reds are the host team for this year. They finished 4-4 (won-lost) in the under-21 nationals in Summerside earlier this month. Some team members also played for host P.E.I. in the under-18 championship in Charlottetown.

For the Reds, the tournaments provide valuable experience towards their appearance in the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Manitoba.

This is also the second year in a row O’Leary is hosting the senior women’s nationals.

The Island Impact, host team for last year’s senior nationals, is Team P.E.I.

Woodside worked for the town last year, too, but the Reds were not in that tournament. That experience, she s aid, gave her a good appreciation of the role volunteers play in running a tournament.

“It always takes a big commitment for our volunteers to show up, and it wouldn’t be possible without them,” she said. “It’s always great to have their support.”

Leading up to this year’s tournament, Woodside has been helping with field preparations, including modifications to the batters box and pitching mound, and collecting sponsorships.

Although the Reds have been based out of Kensington, Woodside, who lives in Knutsford, considers Ellis Field her home diamond, and is eager to play in front of family and friends.

“I love the game,” she said. “I love coming to the field.

“It’s just the atmosphere. It’s a physical game, but also it’s a mental game, so you’ve always got to keep track of who’s on the bases, what’s happening and it’s just a great game to play.”

The Reds and Island Impact will be joined in the round-robin tournament by New Brunswick’s Saint John Selects, Quebec Rebelles and three teams from Ontario – Port Perry Angels and Whitby Intermediate and Senior Eagles.

The Whitby Senior Eagles are the defending champions. Sarah Woodside has been busy helping prepare for the national senior women’s fastpitch championship in O’Leary from Aug. 24 to 28. This is the second consecutive year for O’Leary hosting this tournament.