The Niverville Wildcats girls softball program was a success this season, with only a few games needing to be cancelled due to rain or bad weather. Throughout the season, the diamonds at Hespeler Park were filled with girls softball, boys baseball, as well as adult slow pitch and a U6 Rally Caps for young boys and girls.
“It is so enjoyable to hear the energy and cheers from the teams, and see the excitement for the game,” say girls softball reps Chad and Dana Johnston. “Great season, Wildcats!”
The Wildcats program started at the end of April, when the girls began practicing indoors at Ste. Agathe. They continued practices until the outdoor diamonds were ready and eventually concluded the season with a tournament at the end of June.
This year, Niverville had six girls softball squads—two U8 teams, two U10 teams, 1 U12 team, and one U14 team. Niverville also had one U16 player who combined with another community’s team, adding up to 47 total players from town.
The Niverville Wildcats play in the Southeast Girls Softball league, which includes travel to local communities such as St. Malo, Ste. Agathe, Blumenort, Mitchell, Île-des-Chênes, La Broquiere, Grunthal, Steinbach, and Landmark.
The year-end Softball Jamboree tournament was held in Mitchell on June 22–24.
“Our U8 teams had a rain delay and finished the season with their Jamboree on Monday, June 26, where they had fun playing ball and completing skills at different stations,” say the Johnstons. “Our U10 teams combined for the Jamboree and played two games. They won both their games. Way to go, U10 players. It was so fun to see how far you have all come this season.”
The U12 team won silver at the weekend tournament. They played hard, winning their first three games and earning a spot in the gold medal round.
“Their spirits were high, as you could hear them cheering on their team the whole tournament,” the Johnstons say. “Way to go, U12!”
The couple adds that the U14 team also played hard and had an exciting weekend, where they won the bronze medal—a great way to end the season.
“The U14 team had its struggles in that we didn’t have enough girls register out of our town to form a team,” says coach Jen Buhler, who adds that this is the first time Niverville has fielded a U14 team. “So we had to join with the town of Landmark to make a team of ten. We had some injured players early on, and with girls having other commitments we often found ourselves playing with seven or eight players.”
Buhler adds that the squad definitely improved over the course of the season, losing the majority of games at the beginning but coming to a winning end.
“I really appreciate that we have a coordinator who recognizes that us girls have specific needs, as far as equipment,” says Buhler. “[Chad] has been very supportive in helping us out with that. In the past, we often got leftovers from the hardball program, but now girls softball has some of its own catchers gear, and slowly we’ll add to our bat collection for the girls.”
Beyond that, Buhler is quick to emphasize her love for the sport. “I just love girls softball. It’s a great team sport for the girls. They can support one another and cheer each other on while developing skills to improve their game. I also love that, if they want, there are many opportunities to continue playing at a college level. Lots of colleges in the United States offer scholarships to players of many different levels. I myself know of a couple ladies who live locally who have and played on scholarship in the States.”
The Johnstons make a point of congratulations all of the various Wildcats teams, specifically thanking them for their hard play, for learning new skills, and most of all for having fun out on the field.
“We offer a big thanks to all our coaches and parent volunteers for all your time, commitment, dedication, energy, and encouragement to each of the girls and teams,” the Johnstons conclude. “Without you, the season would not be a success and you made it a fun season for all.”
Registration for the 2019 season will begin around March and take place at the Niverville Arena. The Johnstons suggest that players and parents, new and old alike, keep their eyes open for dates and more information.
They add that they’re hoping to organize development and pitching clinics this winter.
