Duffy, Coldwell top two picks in Shooters league dispersal draft

BROOKFIELD, N.S. – A couple of Colchester County softball players have found new homes in the Shooters Bar and Grill Fastpitch League.

Stewiacke’s Jay Duffy and Myles Coldwell of Gays River – teammates last season with the now-defunct White Rock Rockies – were selected with the top two picks during the recent Shooter’s league dispersal draft. Duffy, an infielder, was taken first overall by the Guysborough Transfer Selects, while Coldwell, an outfielder, was the second overall pick by the reigning leaguechampion Shubie Lions.

The Brookfield Elks had the fourth and seventh picks in the dispersal draft and nabbed utility players Sean Croft and Nolan Osbourne.

The Elks were also busy on the trade front, sending pitcher Donnelly Archibald to Guysborough in exchange for outfielder Trent Mackeil, infielder Noah Hawes and a 2021 first-round pick. The moves come after the Elks strengthened their pitching rotation in November with the addition of Justin Schofield. Schofield has represented Canada at the world level, and last fall was named to Softball Canada’s 2020 national men’s team athlete pool.

The shooters league consists for five teams – Brookfield, Shubie, Guysborough, Prodigy Sports Red Sox (East Hants) and the Colchester Royals U23 team. League action beings in early June.

In other Shooters news, planning continues for the first Tide Fest Classic fastpitch tournament July 9 to 12 in Brookfield and Lantz. Tide Fest is an annual weekend celebration that takes place in East Hants and includes concerts, strongman competitions, street hockey and other family activities. Adding a softball tournament to the mix will give sports fans an opportunity to see high-level ball in two local communities that have long been considered fastpitch hotbeds. Eight teams have already been confirmed for the tournament.

For more information on the Shooters league, visit the new-look website at www. shootersfastpitchleague.com.