Slo-pitch super star Andre Carriere is heading off to Leduc, Alberta, as part of Team Manitoba, and the veteran ball player is thrilled to represent the south east on the big stage, once again.
Leaving, on a jet plane
"I'm joining a men's slo-pitch team, out of Winnipeg," explains Carriere. "I'm joining them for the national championship in Leduc, Alberta. We're leaving tonight, we're flying out. The tournament is Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We're back home on Tuesday."
Connections coming in handy
"I play a lot of slo-pitch, and once you're in that community, everybody knows everybody," Carriere says with a chuckle. "So I've played with probably most of the guys on the team, and if not, for sure against. You get to know the guys, and know the role. They were looking for a shortstop, and someone who has experience. I'll be one of the oldest guys on the team. They approached me a couple of months ago, and here we are."
Back on the national stage
It's not the first time that Carriere has been at nationals. "Two years ago, the co-ed nationals," he explains. "That one was in Winnipeg. I played in that with a team, and we ended up winning. The men's team that is going out to Leduc this weekend, there's about four or five of the guys that are the same core from that team, so we're going to try and win the men's."
Preparation
Carriere says that while the team hasn't spent a lot of time together, that they are well aware of what they need to do as individuals that will lead to team success. "Slo-pitch is a sport where if you play lots, you have it. It's not like hockey where it's nice to have lines and chemistry, or play a lot together. We did do a batting practice/infield practice this past Monday, just to get together, get to know the guys. We did some plays, get the feel for how we go about our work. I've played with them, I've played against them, so I think we kind of know how we all play the game."
As a shortstop, Carriere says he's looking to be a leader within the infield. "It's something the manager/coach talked about when they asked if I'd join the team. They needed a leader and a shortstop, and that's where I play on my teams, so he knew I had that infield leadership and control. More so in slo-pitch, it's a hitting game, so you have to be ready every pitch. There's a hit, pretty much every batter is going to hit the ball, so you have to be on your toes, you have to be thinking one step ahead, and that's where my leadership can kind of come in."
Representing Manitoba and the southeast
Carriere takes a lot of pride being someone to represent the area. "I'm very proud to represent the south east. I know there are very good slo-pitch players from out here, there are leagues still going on, and people are passionate about the sport. I want to represent well, I want to do everyone proud, and hopefully, come back a champion."