The Melfort U14 Spirit team had plenty of success last season, including winning bronze at provincials, and then going to Quebec for Nationals later in the summer. (Facebook/Regina Minor Softball League)

By Mat Barrett

Melfort Minor Softball

MMSA asking house league players to register now, even with softball activities suspended

Apr 2, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Organizers of the Melfort Minor Softball Association (MMSA) are trying their best to make sure the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t have too much of an effect on the upcoming season.

On Thursday, April 1, MMSA received word that Softball Saskatchewan suspended all softball activities until May 1. That follows a decision by Softball Canada as well. Previously, events had been suspended until April 1.

MMSA President Kirk Kezema said they continue to follow what is being asked, and they’re doing what they can to facilitate having a season soon.

“Well we’re optimistic that the season will still happen,” he said. “We certainly have registration open for the MMSA house league teams.”

Those teams would include the Timbits, U10, U12, U14, U16/U19 teams. Kezema said as of right now, they aren’t going to ask for any payment until details about the season become a bit more clear.

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“What we are asking is that everybody registers for house league, so we can get those teams together,” Kezeman told northeastNOW. “Then once we get the ‘OK’ to go ahead, we can get going with playing some ball.”

MMSA is also looking for coaches for the upcoming season, and organizers are asking those interested in participating to register. Registration links can be found on the MMSA Facebook page or website.

May 1 would be right around the start date that MMSA house teams would normally have, but if things extend a bit further, Kezema said they’d do whatever they can to have some sort of season for their players.

“We think it’s fairly important, once we do get the go-ahead to be organized, and plan for possibly a shortened season to give the kids something to go and do,” he said. “Because getting out there and playing some ball would be pretty important for them.”

As for the softball players at the Spirit level with MMSA, those teams were chosen earlier in January. Kezema said right now they also have to pause, but a lot of their players remain training on their own. Some of them are even doing an online course called “Softball School” to keep their games in peak condition.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6