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Estevan’s slo-pitch community wrapped up its B-side season with more than just bats and balls, it brought heart, hustle, and hope to the diamond.
Last Friday night, the Estevan Slo-Pitch League hosted a Home Run Derby fundraiser in support of the Help Aubrey Walk campaign, a local initiative raising funds for four-year-old Aubrey Dyck’s life-changing surgery. The event raised $410, with 23 batters and 27 donors stepping up to the plate.
“We popped up with the idea in a board chat,” said league board member Adam Vilcu. “We figured we should do a donation factor so that we could give back to a little girl in our community that’s trying to walk.”
Each batter donated a minimum of $10 for a chance to hit 10 pitches out of the park, with the top power hitter winning a cooler. Some gave more, and the community spirit was palpable. “We had so many people show up, we had to push the game back,” Vilcu said. “People just kept walking up wanting to get in on it. It was really, really good that way.”
Tom Moffat led the men’s side with three home runs, while Kat Stradeski claimed the women’s title with one. But the real winner was Aubrey, whose story has inspired a wave of support across Estevan.
This isn’t the first time the community has rallied for her. Earlier this summer, Discover Estevan covered a family BBQ and pancake breakfast that raised over $5,200 for Aubrey’s surgery. The momentum continues this weekend with another Home Run Derby planned for Friday at 7 p.m. at the Cossette Diamonds, followed by the A-side tournament on Saturday. Butters Food Truck will be on-site to keep fans and players fueled.
“This weekend’s our A-side end-of-the-year tournament,” Vilcu explained. “We’re hoping to raise even more for Aubrey. We got spoiled with the weather last weekend, and we’re hoping for the same again.”
Looking ahead, Vilcu encourages new players to join the league next season. “We usually start in May. If you reach out on the Estevan Slo-pitch Facebook page, we can get you in contact with the board to do what you gotta do.”
As Estevan’s slow pitch season winds down, the community’s generosity is only heating up. With every swing, they’re helping Aubrey get one step closer to walking.