Mother Nature has thrown a curveball at Estevan’s U15 provincial softball team, forcing organizers to postpone tryouts originally scheduled for this Sunday.
Head coach Shawn Madsen said the decision was made following a meeting, with rain and potentially snow expected over the weekend.
“We had a meeting last night, and part of the issue is Mother Nature has decided that this weekend is not a good weekend. So we had to come up with a different plan,” Madsen said. “We’ve always tried to run our tryouts outdoors... just feel that as evaluators, we can get a better look. It’s fair for the kids to do what they can do.”
Tryouts have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 16, with updated details to be shared on social media. Madsen said arrangements will be made for players who are unable to attend.
“Kids are busy, and we get that, so if they can’t make it on Wednesday, we’re going to try and make some arrangements for something later on for an alternative evaluation.”
The team is open to players born in 2010 and 2011, with 2010-born athletes considered second-year participants. Tryouts are open to both local and out-of-town players.
“The kind of neat thing that we're doing this year, and I don't believe this has ever happened before, is there's going to be a second team in the same age group. So, there's been enough interest, or we feel that there's going to be enough interest to feel the second team.”
The tryouts will help determine who makes the B division team. Players not selected, but still interested in provincial play, will likely be placed in the C division.
Athletes can expect to participate in drills such as infield work, base running, and live hitting. Tryouts will be split across two diamonds to accommodate the number of participants. Madsen emphasized the importance of live hitting during evaluations.
“One of the coaches is very capable of throwing accurately and at a nice speed that would emulate a real game situation and that gives us a good idea of what they can do against a real pitcher.”
While only one tryout is scheduled at this time, Madsen said a second session may be added. He encouraged players with conflicts to reach out directly at (306) 421-3166.
“As the spring sees a lot of overlap when it comes to sports commitments,” Madsen said, “if they are unable to make it to the tryout to reach out and they will figure out another time.”
In addition to house league participation, provincial team commitments include one to two practices per week, along with potential exhibition games and tournaments in Regina and Moose Jaw.
“I'm very happy to say we are hosting the B provincials this year. And so that's kind of neat—that's happened a few times at different age groups have hosted it. I'm not sure about the U15 level so. So we're going to be hosting that July, the 18th weekend, and then the C provincials are the weekend before in Regina, the 11th.”
There are no fees for the tryout, and players can register onsite. The session will run from 5 to 7 p.m., with an additional session for pitchers and catchers starting at 7 p.m.
“Ours is usually around 150 to slightly around there for each player, and that just pays for the tournament fees and some umpires if we host, so there’s not a whole lot of extra cost.”
Madsen, who has been coaching softball for more than a decade, said he’s excited for the upcoming season and the opportunities it presents for local players to develop their skills.