The weather may still be frightful, but the Niverville Wildcats Softball Program coordinator, Mike Bouchard, is already hard at work preparing for the start of a new season.
Bouchard, who moved to the Niverville area two years ago, is taking over for previous coordinators Chad and Dana Johnston.
“It appeared that I came at the right time,” Bouchard says, “as Dana and Chad’s children have grown out of playing softball and they were looking for someone to take over.”
Bouchard has a lot to offer the Wildcats organization as he has competed in four national championships. Softball is in his blood; his family has several members in the Softball Hall of Fame.
Chad and Dana served as the coordinators for the last five years or so and they plan to help Bouchard with the transition. Dana intends to stay on as umpire coordinator.
“[Chad and I] love the game and the enjoyment the season brings for all,” says Dana. “But it’s time to pass on to other community members to continue to grow our Niverville Wildcats Softball program.”
Softball has traditionally been a predominantly female sport, but Dana says the team is more than happy to accept anyone who wishes to join.
Also, kids as young as four years old can join the program.
“The Rally Cap program is baseball’s initiation program and is designed to enhance players’ and coaches’ first experience with the game,” says Dana. “The program helps teams teach players the five fundamentals of baseball in a fun and safe environment. Players have the opportunity to perform different tasks in order to earn a coloured Baseball Canada rally cap. Cap colours correspond with various levels of achievement. In Manitoba, the hats are distributed free to associations.”
Rally Cap is meant for children between the ages of four and seven. Three teams, each with six players, meet at the diamond at the same time. Two of the teams play a 20-minute version of the game while the third team practices in the outfield. The teams switch every 20 minutes so that they all get a chance to play offence and defence, as well as practice. The kids do this once per week for six to eight weeks, depending on the weather.
Beyond the Rally Cap program, kids and teens can continue to play softball from U8 (ages seven and eight), all the way through U18 (ages 17 and 18).
Regular softball season runs from May—or earlier, depending on weather—until June, covering about eight weeks. The season then ends with a tournament.
“Community teams can play into the summer if they choose to play in playoffs hosted in Winnipeg,” says Dana. “But the Niverville Softball Wildcats like ending their season [at the] end of June to enjoy summer.”
The Niverville Wildcats program is recruiting new umpires for the 2022 season. Umpire training involves a two-day course usually held in Ile-des-Chênes. The course is taught by a certified umpire.
Newly trained umpires are required to have their own gear but are paid $40 per game plus mileage if applicable.
The Wildcats will need coaches this year, too. Coaching positions are usually filled by parent volunteers who come forward.
“My goal is to get moms involved in coaching,” says Bouchard. “I know it can be scary, but the way we are going to succeed is by teaching parents the skills plus offering practice plans, giving them more confidence.”
When filling out one’s child’s softball registration form, there will be an option to volunteer as a coach or assistant.
