THE BATTLEFORDS — Battlefords Minor Softball Association is amping up for another exciting season with a remarkable 233 athletes registered with 20 teams for the 2024 season.
BMSA affirms they will be hosting U19 provincial championships and the U15 Western Canadian championships, adding to the excitement of a projected busy season for teams, coaches and fans.
Teams have been practising and conditioning indoors at the fieldhouse during March and April. The association has also run a number of pitching camps. Full team practices and games are now outdoors.
The 2023 season was a stellar year for softball in the Battlefords. The U15 team took silver at provincials which advanced them to Western Canadians in Richmond, B.C. The U19 team earned bronze at provincials and also earned a spot at Western Canadians in Regina. The U17 Bandits were the provincial champions which also earned them a spot at Western Canadians held in Winkler, Man.
A BMSA spokesperson said, “This is the first time ever we have qualified three teams to Western Canadian championships in the same year.”
The executive for BMSA includes: Darren Russell, president and also head coach of the U19 Bandits; Ryan Shepherd, vice-president and also head coach of the U15 Bandits; Jodi Chmelnyk, treasurer; and Sheri-lynn Berry, secretary. Board members are Christa Humenny, Ryan Beauregard, Chantele Kalmakoff, Kyle Palmer, Curtis Weber, Nicole Beausoleil, Debbie Slabaida and Melissa Welford.
Softball is spread out across the Battlefords with the U7 team using the BCS diamonds, while the U11 and U13 teams use the civic centre diamonds. Four teams – U9, U15, U17 and U19 – all use the Battlefords Flats diamonds.
“We lost our head umpire last fall and filling her shoes in this community will be our biggest challenge this season. We will be dedicating a diamond in Marilyn O’Driscoll’s name this season. We are installing a scoreboard on that diamond soon, with donations from ACT, Rotary Club of the Battlefords and Town of Battleford,” affirms BMSA.
The youth softball association said there have been many highlights for participants and coaches which include four provincial championships in the last five years as well as two silver medals and a bronze at provincials.
Another highlight includes being named Softball Sask. Association of the year in 2022, as well as Darren Russell being named Softball Sask. Coach of the Year. In 2023, the Softball Sask. Junior Umpire of the Year, was from the Battlefords.
In the last two years, BMSA has upgraded equipment storage and built a new batting cage, are in the process of installing a new scoreboard at the Flats diamonds.
You can follow the latest updates on their website http://battlefordsminorsoftball.ca/article/47742 as well as on their social media pages.
