BY JEFF MAGUIRE
The sport of softball has suffered a decline in many areas in recent years, especially at the adult level. That can’t be said of sections of west Ottawa, including Stittsville and West Carleton, as well as McNab/Braeside in nearby Renfrew County.
The second week of May will see the first pitches thrown with the West Carleton Minor Softball League, Stittsville Minor Softball League and the McNab/Braeside Minor Softball League all making preparations for the new season.
Before the short but intense campaign begins, however, two clinics are planned for West Carleton communities on back-to-back days the end of April. One is for youth players, the other is for coaches.
Friday, April 29 the University of Ottawa Gee Gees Ladies Fastball team will offer a ‘Youth Softball Instruction Clinic’ in Kinburn.
The site will be the outdoor rink area at the Kinburn Community Association in the West Carleton hamlet. Registration will take place from 6:30-7 p.m. followed by the clinic itself. Instruction will take place for approximately 90 minutes from 7-8:30 p.m.
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Editor’s note: Kudos to Adam Brown for his involvement with the youth leagues in the area. The above article notes:
Brown, who is also associated with Fitzroy Harbour West Carleton Electric of the Greater Ottawa Fastball League, a seven-team men’s loop, is expecting a good season for both youth softball and men’s fastball in the area.
Brown explains that “the younger leagues” in West Carleton will run a six-week schedule which concludes with a tournament on Saturday, June 18. “The teams participating in the partnering leagues in McNab/Braeside and Stittsville will run into late June,” he notes.