BY MARK LOEHNDORF, THE STARPHOENIX
The prolonged silence around the softball diamonds in Saskatoon has finally come to an end, as teams are moving outside in preparation for the softball season.
It certainly could not have come soon enough for Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association president Bryan Kosteroski, as his league begins it 49th season and probably its busiest ever. The SASA’s opening pitch of 2013 comes on Sunday, when the “big parks,” Bob Van Impe Stadium and Gordie Howe Fastball Field, host a full slate of men’s games starting at 9: 30 a.m.
With the loss of the Kinsmen Park diamonds, the SASA must feel extremely fortunate to be able to take over all the diamonds at Glenn Reeve Fields. Not only does this make scheduling easier, but it also creates a huge hub for adult fastpitch in Saskatoon.
According to Kosteroski, those parks will be kept hopping, as they will host more softball this summer than in any previous one. Although the Reg Banga Tournament slated for May 10-12 had to be cancelled, there are plenty of events planned, as the diamonds are completely booked through to September.
The two biggest events will be the U21 men’s international softball championship July 9-14, and the senior men’s and women’s western Canadian softball championship Aug. 15-19. An interesting new event for the city is the Diamondbacks ISC Men’s Softball Tournament, July 26-28. This serves as a qualifier for the ISC world championship in August.
The most pleasant problem the SASA will deal with is scheduling a league with an increasing number of teams. In its 49th year of existence, the largest adult fastpitch league in the country will feature 49 teams.