“The plan is to grow next year and my U12 groups would be a boys baseball and girls softball team.” If all the U6 players return next year, there could be four teams and they could have games against each other.
With extensive softball experience under her belt, Buffel wanted to ensure that her three young children also have the opportunity to explore the sport.
“Baseball came about because some kids wanted to play baseball so I said ‘Let’s try it.’”
Buffel coaches three of the four teams and has three assistant coaches in the league so far. Since she is currently seven months pregnant, she hopes other parents will take on more of a role so she can step away a little bit.
“I have great [coaching] manuals that came from Softball Alberta.” They are used for the three younger teams and “there’s lesson plans and it goes up to 18 days. So that covers the season.”
The manuals are especially helpful for someone with little softball experience.
“If you have someone who doesn’t know anything about the sport, all you have to do is look at the manual and it tells them day-by-day what to do and how to progress the skills.”
Since much of the equipment is 13 or 14 years old, Buffel purchased some necessary new safety items, like catcher gear and batting helmets.
“We bought some new foam balls and foam bats for the younger groups. We’ll progress slowly, but surely to real ball.”
All the regular bats have dents and knicks and are considered unofficial, but those will be replaced as the league grows.
The league has some support from Jasper Minor Sports and Source for Sports has provided deals on team equipment. “The Astoria Hotel also gave a discount rate to our instructor of the coaches’ course, held last weekend,” she added.
“Softball Alberta has provided shirts at a discounted rate. That was included in registration fees for all teams except baseball.”
The ball players are preparing for a June tournament in Edson. “We also have a game day between Edson and Hinton, playing [them] back-to-back.”
Ball season finishes at the end of next month, but late registrations are still being accepted. It costs $60 for U6, $75 for U8, and $95 for U10 and 12. Those interested can contact Buffel at [email protected]. Anyone keen to coach is also encouraged to reach out.
She’s also looking for sponsors for next year’s season. “If you’re interested in joining this great community venture to strengthen it, contact me.”
