Canadian Senior Women's National Softball team signing autographs in Melfort. (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Sr. Women's National Team

Softball Canada’s celebration tour makes stop in Melfort, inspiring the next generation of players

Jun 30, 2022 | 5:00 PM

The Canadian Senior Women’s National Softball team stopped in Melfort to play an exhibition doubleheader against the Czech Republic Wednesday night.

Team Canada took game one 5-0, while the Czech Republic bounced back in game two with a 5-1 win of their own.

This marked the first Saskatchewan stop of their 2020 Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medal Celebration Tour and their fourth stop overall.

For both the City of Melfort and the team themselves, it was an equally beneficial visit, which was filled with support.

“I thought the support was fantastic and the girls were excited to play in a different location than they’re used to,” said Coach Keith Mackintosh. “When we can go to the smaller communities, it’s always a treat and the girls really enjoyed themselves and the fans did as well.”

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And for Team Canada, they now play in Prince Albert on Thursday and Saskatoon on Friday on Canada Day, before heading down to Birmingham, Alabama for the World Games.

With five contests against the Czech Republic, who will be in their pool when the team heads down south, Mackintosh told northeastNOW how nice it was to get in some international competition, especially on their home turf.

“It’s awesome playing in front of home crowds and obviously a special night for Jorde (Chartland, from Weyburn) and myself being back in Saskatchewan,” added the Melfort native. “It’s not very often that Canada gets to play in Canada… It’s always special when players and coaches can be in front of home fans and you can look into the crowd and see your family and friends.”

Those family, friends, and fans were just as appreciative after the game, in which all members of the club stuck around to sign autographs.

“I think it’s a really empowering moment when young softball players can see that, hey, there’s someplace for me to strive to get to there,” noted Mackintosh. “These young women are playing at the highest level in the world and they come from small towns as well.”

“The cool part is last summer, they watched a lot of these players on TV. If you were a softball fan or a softball player, you watch the Olympics because it was the highest level and it was on TV and they identify with these players.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8