THE BATTLEFORDS — Ball season normally runs May to early July, approximately 10 weeks, depending on how deep teams go into playoffs. The weather certainly has been a factor in 2024, but the Battlefords U19 Bandits remain focused on their goals.
Following a highly successful 2023 season, where the U19 Battlefords Bandits won bronze at the Saskatchewan Softball provincial championships, earning them a berth to the Western Canadian championships, team assistant coach, Nicole Beausoleil, says their goal is to return to Westerns.
“We have 13 players, two of whom were U19 Bandits last year and eight who were part of the U17 Bandits, with three new players joining our team,” says Beausoleil. The 2023 U17 team won the provincial championship and represented Saskatchewan at Western Canadians.
If the team’s quest for a championship berth is successful, they will be competing in Irma, Alta., Aug. 8-11, for a Western Canadian U19 championship title.
“We have attended two tournaments so far this season. We won the tournament in Irma, Alta., in May and had a 2-2 record at the Saskatoon women’s tournament June 8 weekend. Highlights of the season would be our gameplay heading into provincials with hopes of returning to Westerns, “adds Beausoleil.
The Bandits have been challenged with competitive playing time as there is no league for them to play in, and Mother Nature hasn’t always delivered favourable ball weather. This has resulted in playing exhibition games and tournaments. As well, juggling 11 players in their final year of high school in addition to all of the players’ other commitments can be challenging, and then add in twice a week practice to stay on top of their game.
Softball fans can look forward to watching some excellent calibre competitive softball as the U19 Bandits are excited to be hosting this year’s U19 Softball Sask. provincial championships July 12-14. The Battlefords will also be home to U15 Western Canadian boys’ and girls’ championships Aug. 2-5.
