Senior slo-pitch in Winkler continues to grow, and long time player Jake Driedger is thrilled with how things went this year, and where things are going into the future.
History of senior slo-pitch
Going back a bit, Driedger details more about the league and the Winkler team. "About three years ago, me and a friend, Martha Fehr, who I've been playing slo-pitch with, since basically forever, back to when the mixed slo-pitch league started in Winkler, we decided we were probably ripe enough that we could start our own senior team. We joined a league, it's a 55+ league, and it consists of Ross Lake, Carman, Altona, Morden, and of course, Winkler."
Ultimate social sport
It's not just about being athletic, for Driedger, it's about having solid friendships while playing a game they all love. "That's kind of the thing, we all enjoyed it very much. In fact, a lot of us were playing in the mixed league, and we maybe thought two games is a little much for some of us, so we went down to one day a week. Monday evenings, we'll play, or tour around to the different towns. People that I'm playing with now, the majority I've played with or against over the last 35 years. It's been a slice. When we started a team, I sent out 13 texts to 13 people I thought might be interested, and I got 13 yes's, and we had a team the next day. That's how quick that went."
"It means a lot to me personally," Driedger says of the time he spends with teammates and friends. "I enjoy it immensely, that's why I keep doing it. We do it through pains, and aches, but we just love it. It's a social event, we all get to go out, and the group that we have make it so much fun. They love playing. If they can't make it one Monday, it's not a big deal, someone will fill in or we go with what we have. It's just great to get out and do it together."
Senior slo-pitch expansion?
With the popularity of the sport, Driedger says many communities could support a team, but Winkler is extra special, because of the passion for the game. "I think they could all have them, but I think in Winkler, we're fortunate, because we have so many players playing slo-pitch, they'll eventually be 55+. Other towns maybe struggle a bit getting players, certainly female players. We don't have that issue, we have the most female players of any team in the league, right now. I think it could expand, then there's the chance of playing at the Manitoba 55+ games, which is also fun to do."
No slowing down
Athletes, regardless of age, love to compete, and Driedger says the passion for the game is always strong. "We love playing the teams that we play, we've built some great friendships throughout the league. We love to go have some fun, play some ball, and get a little competitive once and a while. That's what it's all about for most of us."
See for yourself
More seniors are encouraged to come out next season and watch a game in person. "Our league wrapped up this week, but we will be starting up again next year. Games are Monday's. The schedule is always on the City of Winkler website, whether we're playing in Winkler or out of town. Anyone is welcome to come watch, and I'd be more than happy to chat with people on what it takes to join in, but I'm thinking there's probably enough people, we could start up two teams in Winkler, which would be absolutely awesome."