Innisfail softball teams have been on the ball diamonds fine-tuning their skills in preparation for another successful season.
“They're all signed up and are practising now. We've already played a game,” said Rick Blais, softball liason with Innisfail Minor Ball Association. “Our U-18 team won their first game 19-5.”
The softball season officially began at the end of April and runs until early July, noted Blais, adding that softball teams with the association play in the Central Alberta League. Each team plays about eight to 10 games each season, in addition to tournaments.
Softball teams with Innisfail Minor Ball include U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18. Blais coaches the U-18 team and his wife Michelle is manager.
“We have a lot of returnees this year,” he said, noting their busy schedule over the next several weeks. “We have five games this month plus three tournaments. It's a short season,” he added.
The provincial championships will be held in July.
This year, 91 girls have registered for softball in Innisfail, said Blais, noting the increase from 85 last season.
Last year softball had both a U-19 and U-18 team in Innisfail. The U-18 softball team has now moved up and will compete at the provincial level.
“It's the highest level we've ever had in provincials for the Town of Innisfail,” said Blais. “If we end up first or second in provincial playoffs, then we will go on to post-provincial playoffs – the Western Canadian Softball championships in Winnipeg in August,” he added.
Blais noted the success Innisfail softball had last year and how they look forward to another successful season.
“Last year we had girls go into provincials in our U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-19 levels,” said Blais. “That was the first time that we've had that many teams enter provincial playdowns.”
This summer they will host the 8th Annual Innisfail Softball Tournament June 17-19. “We usually average 32 teams from across the province, and we've had teams from British Columbia participate before,” he added, noting the tournament will see 77 games at all seven ball diamonds in town.
With the season now underway, Blais said they want to focus on and continue their strong play from last year.
“We've actually gone up a level for provincials and that was our goal, and also to be able to compete,” said Blais. “We're looking at having our U-10, U-12 and U-14 enter provincials again this year.
“We have a lot of kids in those divisions and we're hoping they take the reins and go at it.”
