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In a great test both physically and mentally for the U13 AAA Eastman Wildcats, the group earned a silver medal at provincials, a boost for the team as they head to Abbotsford, British Columbia, for the Western Canadians.
Looking back over this past weekend, there are a lot of positives for head coach Jason Plett. "It was a really good week of ball," he says with a smile. "To test themselves mentally and physically, and just to play that many games in the heat that we had to, they did really well. It's a good warmup for Westerns, that we were able to quality for, because Abbotsford, BC can be a lot hotter, and pretty warm, too. I'm looking forward to it."
When it comes to an area on the diamond where he believes his team can be successful going forward, Plett says it's an easy answer. "Defensively. Not making errors all week at provincials, we did not make any errors, at all. We have a very solid defensive game, and when you have a solid defensive game, especially at U13, there isn't as much pressure on the pitchers to strike everyone, they can just throw strikes and when the other team puts balls in play, we know we will make the outs. That's the key area for us."
On the opposite side, Plett has circled an area of the teams game that needs to step up, if they want to be a force in BC. "I think it would have to be our hitting," he says after a quick second to think. "We sometimes struggle with pitchers that we are not familiar with, and going out to Westerns, I think there are only two teams we've played before. Sometimes it's a blessing, sometimes it's a curse not knowing the kind of pitcher you're facing. I think just getting caught up if they're a quicker or faster pitcher, getting on top of the ball, and putting the ball in play."
Going through the provincial tournament knowing full well they'd be soon leaving for Westerns, show's how professional and dedicated this group of U13 players is, in the mind of Plett. "It's again, this is my second year coaching this age group, and the growth that we as the coaches have seen in the girls from November until now, it's just crazy. It would be nice to have to have had a videographer following us around for the year, just to show everyone the growth for our team. I think they're ready for the challenge, and I think they're going to really well out there."
Finishing second in provincials is great, but Plett believes that coming up just a little short, put a chip on the teams shoulder and he's excited for them to respond like they have throughout the year. "It's funny, us Wildcats have a history in the past of losing the provincial finals, but always end up facing the team that they lost to in Westerns or Nationals, and I think we're 100% at beating those teams. The girls take that into their minds, they don't want to lose to those teams again. Even the two teams that we played before at Western's, we'll end up playing them in the round robin, and the girls don't like losing. They'll have that in their mind to get payback, so it should be good."
The community around the team has made every moment just that much more special, say Plett, and he can't say enough good things about everyone. "Our parent group, they are fantastic. The amount of time they put into their own kids, driving them to practice or games, now flying or driving to Abbotsford, just supporting. Full of encouragement for everyone, and it doesn't matter if we win or lose, parents are in good spirits. We love connecting after the games, and it should be a fun time with this group."
As the first game approaches, Plett admits he gets goosebumps thinking about it, and he'll be sure to take in the moments leading up to that first game on Thursday. "It's always satisfying as a coaching staff when you see the girls you've coached all year succeed. We've seen the work they've put in, the work through winter, and for them to get this acknowledgment and the trip to Westerns, they've earned it. They're going to create memories they'll never forget, and I'll be sure to take it all in, just like they will."
The Wildcats start Westerns on Thursday with two games, 11:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. On Friday, two more games, 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Yet another two games on Saturday, 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Playoffs are on Sunday.