CANORA - In a glimpse of what future Canora baseball and girls softball teams might look like, players from age four all the way up to 18 had their opportunity to take to the diamonds and show their skills during Minor Ball Day in Canora on June 14. It was a cloudy, cool, breezy day but on the plus side, very few complaints were heard about heat or mosquitos.
The day began with games for the junior and senior rally cap teams, where no scores are kept so that the focus is on having fun and learning the game
Junior Rally Cap
The Canora Junior Rally Cap team, coached by Will Dupperon, met up with Norquay. The players are four to six years old and hit off a tee in this age group.
“The game went real well for both teams,” said Dupperon.
“We have been working on lots of throwing and hitting, getting the kids to being able to hit with the coach pitching instead of the tee-ball stand.
“The season has been going great so far, the kids have been learning lots and having lots of fun!”
Dupperon is supported by Clayton Malanowich, assistant coach, and Shimonay Claassen, manager.
“This season has been very enjoyable,” said Claassen.
“My absolute favourite thing is watching them light up when they hit the ball and get to run to first base or if someone gets to throw the ball really far and even when they manage to catch the ball in the air. They really are a remarkable group of kids.”
Senior Rally Cap
Canora has a pair of Senior Rally Cap teams this year, in the seven and eight-year-old age group. At this age, the coaches do the pitching.
Team 1 is coached by Maddy Dutchak and Heidi Mentanko, who are also students at Canora Composite School. On Minor Ball Day, the team had a spirited game against the visitors from Yorkton.
Mentanko said getting involved in coaching has been a rewarding experience.
“I look forward to it every week! Our team’s season is going great so far, the kids skills are growing and they are such a good group of coachable kids. At practice, we play catch, practice hitting, catching grounders, and often scrimmage against the other rally cap team. I’ve really enjoyed coaching this year and it has been a great experience alongside coach Maddy!”
The Senior Rally Cap 2 team played against Norquay on Minor Ball Day, reported Aaron Herriges, coach.
“There were lots of smiles, eagerness, great throws, catches, and hits. Norquay has a great group as well and it was a fun game.”
Herriges said he has been pleased with the team’s progress throughout the season.
“Every practice or game we play, the kids feel they are getting better and it's showing on the field.”
In the rally cap program, the focus is on the basic fundamentals.
“It's important before you start playing actual baseball or softball, that you learn proper movement skills; the proper mechanics of throwing, catching and hitting,” said Herriges. “So when the kids practice on their own, they are repeating these motions the same every time. That is where they will experience consistency on their accuracy, ball contact, and hand/eye coordination as they develop, get older and get stronger. The kids all love practicing, they just need help along the way and that's what parents and coaches can provide.”
Herriges said he has thoroughly enjoyed coaching in the Rally Cap program.
“I recommend it to all parents. Get involved in coaching them and you won't regret it. It’s rewarding as well. The kids just need a little guidance and someone to facilitate some playing time in a two-month season.”
U11 girls softball
On Minor Ball Day, the U11 girls softball team won a tight, 7-6 decision over Kelvington, said Coach Brigitte Herriges.
“The season has been going well with lots of games and one tournament to date,” said Herriges. “The girls have made lots of progress where they have won the last two games.”
Practices have been mainly focused on the areas of throwing, fielding, catching, and hitting, as well as pitching.
“Many girls are learning to pitch for the first time and are making amazing progress,” said Herriges, adding that it has been a fun season.
“I have particularly enjoyed how this team has built such a strong bond and team morale very early on in the season. We have players from Canora, Sturgis, Norquay, and Kamsack, and it’s like these girls have known each other for years. They cheer each other on and encourage each other, which makes coaching easy!”
Team 1 11U baseball
Manager Ashley Trach reported that the 11U Canora Reds Team 1 defeated Kamsack with a final score of 7-4.
Fourth-year coach Brendon Skibinsky added, “Both are strong, great teams. The game was tied in the fourth inning and then we had got few runs in to win the game, some great ball!”
Skibinsky said, even in a short two-month season, “These kids learn so much and the players they have become in such a short amount of time is amazing!”
“I really enjoy coaching ball and I like to win. Watching these kids going from being scared to hit a ball, to catching balls and hitting home runs, the smiles on their faces make me feel like I have done my job.”
Skibinsky said there is still plenty of U11 baseball to look forward to this season.
“For the second year in a row the East Central Expos will be entering provincials with players from Canora, Sturgis and Kamsack. So lucky for us, ball ends in the middle of July!”
Team 2 11U baseball
11U Baseball Team 2 played a pair of games on Minor Ball Day against Kamsack and Yorkton.
Team manager is Jodie Kowalyshyn
“Our season has been going great so far,” said Coach Parker Rice. “We currently have a record of four wins and two losses in league play.”
Since 11U is the first age group with players pitching, that is a significant area of focus.
“We need to see which kids are interested in pitching, then teach them the basic mechanics so they can start taking steps to becoming steady and reliable pitchers.”
Rice said a big reason he enjoys coaching is the opportunity to pay if forward.
“I love coaching because I am able to pass on knowledge that was given to me. My playing career is long over so now it’s a joy to watch kids learn new things and use them to have their own success.
“Minor Ball Day is always the highlight of my baseball season. Kids getting to play in front of family and friends, and also being able to watch other Canora teams is a blast!”
U13 girls softball
U13 softball team manager Lindsay Peters reported that Canora defeated the visiting Yorkton Orange Crush with a 13-10 score. Peters said she has thoroughly enjoyed being involved with the team.
“The girls are playing well and really gelling as a team. It has been fun to watch.”
13U Baseball
Lindsey Propp, manager of the 13U baseball team, reported that their game ended in a 19-3 win for the visiting Langenburg Minors on Minor Ball Day.
Coach Tyler Craig said they have a small team this year in terms of numbers.
“For most of our eight games we have had affiliated players from 11U or overage players from 15U join us. Without these players our games would not have been possible and we really enjoyed playing with them.”
Even with a small roster, Craig said the players have impressed him this year, “with how such a small team can come together with our affiliated players, kids who don’t regularly practice with us, and still do very well on the diamond. And for that, our players need a pat on the back.
“I really appreciated the help of Lindsey Propp, who kept us organized, and Shannon Unick, assistant coach who kept practices and games running smoothly. A big thanks to the Town of Canora for keeping our diamond looking sharp and clean, especially for our home games and picture day.”
15U baseball
Unfortuately the scheduled opponent for the 15U Canora Reds was unable to make it to Canora for Minor Ball Day. But Coach Dayne Babchishin and his players took advantage of the opportunity to work on their hitting base running and fielding.
18U baseball
The Canora Reds 18U baseball team took on Roblin, reported Stacy Vangen, manager. Behind starting pitcher Ty Sleeva, the Reds earned a 7-4 victory. The team coached by Kerry Trask.
U15 and U17/19 girls softball
The U15 softball team is coached by Nathan Dutchak, with Aimee Ruf handling the managing duties.
In an all-Canora matchup, the U15 team played the U17/19 squad on Minor Ball Day, with the younger team coming out on top with an exciting 8-7 final score.
Carmen Wolkowski is the manager of U17/19 team. The coach is Terry Wilson.
“The teams were very evenly matched with good pitching and defence ruling the day,” said Wilson, who added that most members of his team only have a couple of years of experience playing softball.
“Their improvement has been noticeable. We can’t compliment these ladies enough for the positive attitude they bring to the diamond every night. In addition to the usual fundamentals, their ‘softball IQ,' has been the biggest improvement.
“Our goal is to give the girls a base understanding and skill development should they want to continue to play as they leave Canora to continuing education or work.”
When asked about the importance of Canora Minor Ball Day, Wilson said, “It continues to be a great way to get our community together and remind us all of how lucky we are to live here.”
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