Slo-pitch lovers have a brand-new reason to dust off their gloves and cleats. The first-ever Ladies Slo-Pitch Tournament, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” is set for Saturday, September 13th at the Parkland Diamonds, and committee member and ball player Hailey Wiebe could not be more excited.
“I’m a die hard,” Wiebe said when asked about her passion for the game.
“Ladies night has been the start of this. Like it’s been so fun. We’ve had awesome ladies come, and it’s a great way for our community to get together,” - Hailey Wiebe, committee member and player in the Ladies Night at the Ballpark league.
A community built around baseball
Wiebe says her love for the sport started young. “I played as a kid and then through high school and then took a little bit of a break. And then now slo-pitch, where the old folks come in and then you’re like, oh yeah, that’s my speed.”
Originally from Carman, Wiebe grew up playing for the Carman Goldeyes, and today she plays and subs on several teams in Winkler, Morden, and even Winnipeg. What keeps her going is not just the game, but the people.
“The community, the people are great, like you play on one team and then they’re like, oh, she’s really good or she’s fun to be around and you get asked to play for another. Once you play with those people, they’re just so great to be around.”
Ladies night sparks something bigger
Friday night Ladies Slo-Pitch in Winkler has been the launching pad for the new tournament. “Ladies night has been the start of this. Like it’s been so fun. We’ve had awesome ladies come, and it’s a great way for our community to get together,” said Wiebe.
On average, around 20 women show up every week, enough for two full teams. The excitement has grown so much that Wiebe and her crew decided it was time to take it further with a full-day tournament.
“We want at least six [teams]. We have four in the making hopefully, but eight would be awesome. Like if we can have a nice big tournament that would be fantastic,” she said.
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How to sign up
Players can register individually or as a team.
Contact details:
ladiesnightattheballpark@outlook.com
204-332-0698
The tournament guarantees each team three games, and Wiebe promises it will be competitive but lighthearted fun.
Prizes and a cause
Winners will not leave empty-handed. “If you win, you’re definitely gonna get a cash prize. First place, second team you’re probably gonna get some merch, some hoodies from SPN (Slo-Pitch National), and then third place maybe even some water bottles or something else that we can find,” Wiebe explained.
Alongside the tournament prizes, a special bat draw will raise funds for Genesis House, to further support local women.
“We were looking for different organizations that can help other women. We are women who want other women to come together and play this tournament, and then we just want to give back to the community.” Shared Wiebe.
Volunteers needed
The event also needs umpires and scorekeepers. “Yeah, if you like calling people out,” Wiebe joked, “give me a call at 204-332-0698 or an e-mail at ladiesnightattheballpark@outlook.com.”
With teams already confirmed from Brandon and more expected from across southern Manitoba, organizers are hoping this becomes an annual tradition.
“It’s going to be a fun weekend,” said Wiebe.