Coming off of a bronze medal performance at provincials, the Melfort U14A Spirit will continue their season when they travel to Montreal for Softball Canada's National Championship. (Facebook/Regina Minor Softball League)

By Aaron Schulze

Spirit to Nationals

First time ever: Melfort U14A Spirit going to national championship in Montreal

Jul 18, 2019 | 2:36 PM

For the first time in Spirit softball history, Melfort Minor Softball Association (MMSA) will have a team compete on a national stage.

MMSA announced late on July 17 that the Melfort U14A Spirit – who are recently coming off a bronze medal finish at provincials – will attend Softball Canada’s National Championship in Montreal, Que. from Aug. 7 to 11.

Kirk Kezema, MMSA president, told northeastNOW he and the rest of the association are extremely proud of the girls and coaching staff.

“They’ve worked so hard,” Kezema said. “They are a special group of girls that we’re so proud of and thankful they’re part of our program. We wish them well at the Canadian championship.”

In previous years, the Spirit program has had ‘B’ level teams advance to Western Championships, as teams typically have to play at an ‘A’ level to play in a national competition.

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The U14 Spirit moved up to play ‘A’ softball in 2018 while still having enough players to field a ‘B’ team in 2019.

“This is a group of girls that are all 2005-born, except three,” Kezema said. “Last year when we moved up into ‘A’, they were all first years and they were about the middle of the pack provincially. We knew going into this year that we would be fairly good and we know that we’ve got some top athletes in certain areas that are playing on this team. They’ve lived up to our expectations for sure.”

Before the nationals come around in August, the U14A Spirit will have a test on the field and an opportunity to raise funds for their trip when they host the New Zealand ISA U14 Girls at Spruce Haven Park on Saturday, July 27 as part of the Super 8 2019 International Softball Series.

Kezema said the canteen will be open and encourages the public to arrive for supper and refreshments while supporting the U14A Spirit.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow