Instead of going out to enjoy a local hockey game in winter or a local baseball game in the summer, most people in Yorkton opt, instead, to sit in front of their televisions (for a long time I was guilty of this exact thing) and watch I.Q. dropping shows such as 'Duck Dynasty', 'Breaking Bad' and '16 and Pregnant'.
Well, 2014 is a new year. And as such, I challenge the people of Yorkton to get out and support their local athletes. What's more, I'll give you a list of sporting events to take in in Yorkton throughout 2014 and the reasons why you should do so.
1. Take in a Terriers (SJHL) game
The reasons are simple: It's the highest level of hockey this city has and the Terriers are the class of the SJHL. With the Norrish boys (Brady and Chase) on the blueline, the newly acquired offensive juggernaut known as Brett Boehm and the stalwart goaltending of Yorkton's own Kale Thomson it's almost a sin for any Yorkton resident to not take in at least one Terriers game. Go out and treat yourself to a Terriers game. Go on, you deserve it.
2. Hit up the Harvest
Yorkton is also home to the SMAAAHL's Yorkton Harvest. This team might just be the most physical midget AAA team in not only the province, but also the country (Seriously, these boys can hit!). Sure, you might see them take some bad penalties if you were to go to one of their games. But there is also the chance you'll see Corwin Stevely or Turner Ottenbreit hit an opposing player so hard that when he wakes up he'll need a new haircut. You can't tell me you wouldn't enjoy watching some hard-nosed, old time Eddie Shore and Gordie Howe hockey in your own home town, right?
3. Watch any minor hockey or baseball game
Yorkton boasts many atom/mosquito, peewee, bantam and midget hockey and baseball teams. Hockey teams such as the Sherring Gold Peewee Terriers and Bantam UCT Terriers are particularly dominant in their respective leagues and chalk full of players with unlimited potential and amazing futures. The same goes for the minor baseball teams in the city.
Sure, the athletes are just kids right now, but they play with heart and desire and they work their tails off to win each and every game. Plus, they are the future stars of the SJHL, WHL and WMBL. Who wouldn't want to witness stars in the making? Someone from Melville, probably.
4. Catch Cardinal fever
Not only does Yorkton have great winter sports teams, it also has high calibre baseball each and every summer in the form of the WMBL's Yorkton Cardinals, who are made up of college level baseball players from all over North America. Why sit in front of your computer staring at a screen with drool dripping out the corner of your mouth when you could just as easily be outside in the fresh air watching the Cardinals lay waste to visiting teams at Jubilee Ball Park while enjoying some heavenly sunflower seeds.
5. Go yicketty with the Yankees
The Cardinals aren't the only baseball team in town you should go and watch this summer. Yorkton is also home to the back-to-back SESBL (Â鶹´«Ã½AV East Senior Baseball League) champion Yorkton Yankees. Yes, they might have the worst team name in Canadian sports, but that's not the point. The point is these guys play near perfect baseball and are a treat to watch and a pain to play against for any opposition (this from experience). And at a very reasonable ticket cost of free, there should be nothing stopping Yorkton residents from watching the Yankees go for their third SESBL title in a row.
6. Orange or green. Your choice
From the beginning of September to the end of June the YRHS Raiders and SHHS Saints participate in a wide variety of sports. The sad thing is, most of the time the stands, for all sports are empty. That's something that needs to be addressed. Both the Raiders and Saints put together some of the top sports teams in Saskatchewan High School sports and yet have no hometown support. The Raiders football team are a bunch of monsters, while the Lady Saints soccer team can score at will and are the defending provincial champions. So ask yourself, why not go and watch some entertaining high school sports. Just be sure to wear one of the two high school colours.
7. Make it tough for Melville
Although this is the last in the list it is easily the most enjoyable. Simply find out when the Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) or Yorkton Cardinals (WMBL) are playing the Melville Millionaires, look at your schedule to see if you are free and then make your way to either the Farrell Agencies Arena or Jubilee Park with noise makers and a pro-Yorkton attitude to make life hell for our rivals from down Highway 10, the Mils. Go Yorkton go!
There are many sporting events that a person can take in while living in Yorkton. All of which are incredibly affordable and many of which are free. So next time you are reaching for your remote control or mouse, stop. Think. And remember that Yorkton has one heck of a solid sports system that you just have to check out.
