The Carillon Senior Sultans have stormed out of the gates this year and it's thanks in large part to everyone on the team doing their part to help the team win.
Player/Manager Nick Wall says it's been a great start and the excitement for a new ball season never gets old. "It always is exciting," he says with a smile. "Last year it was a little stressful with the rain, so I wasn't necessarily looking forward to this year as much as I could have been, but as soon as it started and we saw the weather, it's been really awesome. I actually forget how awesome it is until we get all the boys out and have fun. It's a reminder that I do love baseball."
Getting together with his teammates and getting back into the swing of things has put a smile on Wall's face. "It's so awesome. I don't actually see a lot of these guys over the winter, so when we get back together, it's getting to see my best friends again. We get together a couple times a week and we talk baseball. If you're playing at the senior level, it's because you love it and all these guys love baseball. They love being with the guys and I really, really enjoy it and so does everyone else."
That closeness, the fact they are a true group of best friends all together playing a sport that they love, is something that Wall believes is a huge boost for the squad. "It's huge. For one, you have to enjoy coming out and being with the guys that you're playing with and I really try and protect that culture that we have because it's so important. We'll see other teams and they yell at each other when they make mistakes and we made a decision that was never going to be us. We're here to have fun, we'll take it seriously when it's time but we all grew up playing together, which is very important.
Five games into the year, there is a lot to like, Wall says, but specifically it's the bats that have made the most noise. "We've started the season 4-1. Last year, we were 0-4 to start and we could not get the bats going at all. This year, we've been hitting the stuffing out of the ball. We've scored more than 10 runs in three of five games. Everyone has been hitting the ball and we've also been pitching really well. The only game we lost, we didn't have everyone show up but we've had some really good pitching performances and it's been awesome to watch."
While much of the season has been positive, Wall knows it's going to get harder and he believes the group is up for the challenge. "I think something our group is focused on is playing the good teams well," he says confidently. "Our only loss is to West Winnipeg and they are the best team in Western Canada. They are very, very good and to beat them, we have to play perfect defense, pitch really well and hit the ball. We played a couple of B-side teams this week and coming up we have some games against the A-side, so we're looking forward to it. We need to keep the bats hot, that's the biggest thing, I know our pitching and fielding are good, we just need to keep hitting."
Perhaps the most encouraging thing for Wall and the Sultans is that everyone is contributing and everyone feels like they are part of the reason for success. "We have a focus on the regular season on getting everyone in, getting everyone at bats. We have guys that drive an hour and half after work and I'm not going to just let them sit on the bench after driving out. We had our team event the other day, we went all golfing. We make sure everyone has a role and guys are engaged, whether it's scorekeeping or being a base coach, everyone is fully bought in and it's a reason we're feeling good about this year."
Growing up a fan of the Sultans and now getting to wear the jersey means something to Wall and his teammates. "It's really special, it means a lot to us. I remember when I was younger, I couldn't wait to play junior, I saw them playing, they kept stats and I thought it was the coolest thing. I was pretty young when the Junior Sultans won back-to-back, that was 2011 or 2012, something like that. I never saw a Senior Sultans team but it's so exciting and I'm so proud to help be a part of bringing this team back and giving junior guys a place to play. It's been so awesome and it's hard to put it all into words, I just feel like a kid again when we're all out there."
Having the support around the team also means the world to Wall and the group and if fans were ever wondering if the team hears or remembers them, the answer is yes to both. "It's huge, it's always so funny because we have parents coming out to watch their kids just like they did when we were 10 or 11 years old. There's on particular set of grandparents, I remember the first time I heard her voice again five years ago when she was cheering and she's the loudest person in the crowd at all times, I just thought 'oh yes, baseball is back!' It's amazing to see the parents still around and the new fans making noise."
The Sultans