The Estevan Girls Softball Association is excited that it is able to begin practising for the upcoming season.
The association was scheduled to have its registration night and first practice on Monday evening at the Pleasantdale Softball Diamonds, with the under-12 and the under-14 divisions to take to the field for the first time this season.
Players were allowed to start practising once they paid their registration fees. The under-19 players and the learn to play under-10 athletes were to have their shot at registration and practice on Tuesday.
“It’s a great feeling that things are starting to open up again, and these kids will be able to start mingling again,” said president Randy Gooding.
Players can sign up until July 10.
“That’s how we usually start our year is a couple of weeks of practice, but we usually get even more of that, because the provincial teams will start getting together in April (in a normal year),” said Gooding.
The next step will be to allow players to start holding scrimmages and games against local teams. The third phase would allow for tournaments and league play outside of the area.
It’s not yet known if there will be provincial tournaments, but those are scheduled for August.
In a post on their Facebook page, it was noted Estevan Girls Softball protocols for cleanliness go beyond the provincial rules, to ensure they are doing all they can to minimize risk, to include pre-activity setup, spectator management and post-activity cleanup. Plans have been designed to consider what needs to be done, and wherever possible to minimize costs to participants.
All participants in girls softball will be required to provide their own helmet and ball glove as well as hand sanitizer.
Practice sessions for U12 and U14 athletes will be Monday and Wednesday nights, and for the learn to play and U19 players, it will be Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Criteria will have to be followed for safe protocols under the COVID-19 requirements, without sacrificing safety within the sport and maintaining, as much as possible, the spirit and intent of the game.
