Many ball players got a week of practices before being shut down

Simon Ducatel May 11, 2021 7:50 AM
Ryder Chapman, 6, takes a swing while Waylon Jensen, 6, runs past in the background in anticipation of catching the ball for coach Shauna Bartholow, who was lobbing them pitches on Monday, May 3 during Sundre Minor Ball’s first practices of the season. All three diamonds behind the schools were being used, with coaches donning face coverings. However, as a result of tightened restrictions, practices have been put on hold for at least few weeks. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff▲
Brock Bartholow, 6, warms up his swing on Monday, May 3 during Sundre Minor Ball’s first practices of the season. All three diamonds behind the schools were being used, with coaches donning face coverings. However, as a result of tightened restrictions, practices have been put on hold for at least few weeks. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff▲
Ryder Chapman, 6, works on his throwing arm on Monday, May 3 during Sundre Minor Ball’s first practices of the season. All three diamonds behind the schools were being used, with coaches donning face coverings. However, as a result of tightened restrictions, practices have been put on hold for at least a few weeks. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff▲
Waylon Jensen, 6, winces as he takes a swing on Monday, May 3 during Sundre Minor Ball’s first practices of the season. All three diamonds behind the schools were being used, with coaches donning face coverings. However, as a result of tightened restrictions, practices have been put on hold for at least a few weeks. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff▲

SUNDRE — Minor ball players got to enjoy a rather brief crack at the bat last week. 

All three ball diamonds behind River Valley School and Sundre High School were booked solid Monday to Thursday starting after class at around 3:15 p.m. with the last practices winding up by around 8 p.m., said Jason Bird, president.

But organizers had little choice other than to hit the pause button as a result of tightened restrictions announced by the provincial government in light of the most recent surge in confirmed cases that has propelled Alberta into the spotlight for having the highest per capita infection rate in North America.

"At least we got a full week of practices in," said Bird. "We will be shut down (Sunday) May 9 at 11:59 p.m."

However, he added practices might yet resume later this month or early the next, depending of course on how the situation unfolds, and Sundre Minor Ball reserves optimism that things will turn around in the coming weeks.

"We will try again in a few weeks as restrictions loosen," he said.

Olds Minor Softball and Olds Minor Baseball continued with practices last week and advised players that a pause on play would begin on the night of May 9 and last for a minimum of three weeks.

Innisfail Minor Ball Association continued with scheduled practices last week as well.

Due to the restrictions, Carstairs Minor Baseball held off on starting any practices. It wasn’t scheduled to start practices until the week of May 10. The association said it would hold off on depositing payments until it is known that the season is a go.

 

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