Once again, Ste. Anne will have a slow pitch league and the organizers say there is still room for teams from across the Southeast to sign up.
Coming into their second season as organizers, Travis Vandenberghe and Joelle Ragot are very excited to get things going and Vandenberg gives a tip of the cap to the person who started it all. "I took the league over last year from Marty Perrin, who started the league in 2020, he laid down a solid foundation. I got my feet wet in year one and now in year two, we're looking to try some new things, grow the league, couple changes, I'm very excited and optimistic to get some more teams to join."
Ragot says having the community support the league has meant a lot. "It's been great. Sarah Normandeau, she's such a huge supporter of Ste. Anne everything. I feel like she's been a part of this in her own way, she has been sharing our stuff with all her people, it's really awesome. We have a Facebook page that we keep updating, so anyone can look at that. Anyone is more than welcome to be a part of what we're doing. We had so many people last year that didn't play in the league that were just showing up, family members or friends, just watching the games. It's amazing people know about the league and hopefully, it helps us grow it more."
For anyone wanting to put in a team, Vanderberghe and Ragot say there is still time and it's easy to do. "We're running every Tuesday, hopefully middle of May start, weather pending. We're going to start Tuesday's at 6:30 p.m. Typically, we run till the last week of August and we're hoping to add a big year end tournament. Facebook message myself or Joelle to add a team, we also have an email address, whether it's for a team or someone wanting to join an already made team, it's steanne.slowpitch@gmail.com. Anyone can submit a team name, their name, phone number and email. It has to be a team of 10 but if it's one person looking to be on a team, we will find a spot."
Ragot adds, “it is four girls, six guys to form a team.”
While the league is based in Ste. Anne, all are welcome, says Ragot. "Absolutely, we have two new teams, one from Steinbach and one from Giroux. It's really awesome. The growth is awesome, it makes me feel warm and cuddly inside knowing that it's people from all over wanting to come be a part of our league. We want all people. We don't divide the league, it's not a A, B or C, it's everybody plays. Maybe toward the end of the season, we'll have another team rep meeting and decide the format for that. It's really important we let everyone know it's inclusive."
Thanks to a local business, Vanderberghe says there will be some new equipment this year. "Emerald Sheet Metal of Ste. Anne, Chad and Tanja Hay, they bought us new bases and balls for this year. We're so thankful to them for dong that. Ours were beat up and busted, didn't look great and then there's the safety part of it, it means a lot they'd be so generous and do that for our league. We can't thank them enough."