by Pat Healey
SHUBENACADIE: A new fast pitch league in East Hants will allow more local players to continue their passion while not leaving the community—at least that’s the hope of the new Tri-County Fast Pitch League, says its media coordinator.
Kody Blois said the league will play its games at the fields in Shubenacadie and Brookfield.
Teams in the league will include: the Nova Scotia Under-21 men’s team featuring Canadian Junior Men’s alum Cody Anthony, and coached by Jeff Fraser; a team based out of the Brookfield/Stewiacke area; two East Hants teams; and Halifax Blackburn, who will be attending the high-calibre International Softball Congress (ISC) World Tournament, scheduled for Aug. 10-17 in Quad Cities, IA/IL.
Blois, a Belnan native, said the league will begin play on May 23, with games in either Shubenacadie or Brookfield—that’s still to be decided.
The strong tradition of fast pitch in East Hants is why the league was formed.
“East Hants has a long tradition of playing fast pitch, so we want to be able to continue that and allow players to play in a competitive environment locally as opposed to travelling outside the area and playing on the weekends,†said Blois. “That was appealing to those of us forming the league, to have a place for the younger players to play once their done minor ball.â€
He said the East Hants teams will be comprised of young players who are in their early 20s, but also some players who may not have hit the field in several years.
“There are a lot of talented players in East Hants who can still play, and we’d love to have a place for those to come back and play,†said Blois. “It’s similar to the Junior Gents hockey league we have in East Hants. We’re trying to give them something where they can come out and play once a week, and its still going to be competitive.
“Every one of us are still passionate about the game, and we want to keep it alive in East Hants for future generations to play.â€
The teams will play an unbalanced schedule with some play a minimum of 15 games to others with a high of 24 or more contest. Some games will be double headers.
Blois said, for example, the N.S. U-21 team will play about 21 or 22 games because they’re heading to an international competition, while Halifax Blackburn will hit the field upwards of 20 games. Others will only play 15 games.
“It’s a little bit unbalanced, some teams wanted to play double headers so they can prepare to go away, and others only wanted the single games because they have players who have children and other commitments and can come before their kids are in bed or after they have been put to bed.â€
He said the hope is to have a strong inaugural season, and that will in turn bring the fans out to the ball park.
“We’re hoping this can really grow the game locally,†he said.
Several players on the Fraser-coached U-21 squad currently suit up with the Hants East Rural High School Tigers boys fast pitch squad, coached by Trevor Comeau.
A full league schedule is expected to be released shortly, said Blois.
Keep an eye on The Weekly Press sports section and our Facebook page for updated standings and statistics from the Tri-County Fast Pitch League once the season begins.
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phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com
