The 222's Fastpitch program is quite popular throughout the province with numerous players training with the group. (Submitted Photo/Dean Holoien)

By Mat Barrett

Back on the Diamond

222’s Fastpitch holding pitcher training sessions in Melfort

Jul 4, 2020 | 9:07 AM

Softball players in the Melfort area are getting the chance to get some training from the 222’s Fastpitch program in the coming weeks.

Dean Holoien is hosting two days’ worth of pitching training sessions at the Spruce Have ball diamonds in Melfort on July 9 and 16. He said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge effect on people, and now they can finally get back on the field.

“We’ve all had to do a lot of different things with business and in our personal lives and it’s just affected everybody in lots of different ways,” Holoien said. “Now that we’ve got the government go-ahead to do things in a careful manner, we’re putting together some small groups to get the kids back on the diamond again.”

Softball was one of the activities that was deemed allowed by the provincial government in Phase 4 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, and now teams will begin playing games soon, including some in this area.

Holoien said these sessions will give their players some extra field time before games kick up.

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“There are teams that are starting to play league this coming week, which is pretty exciting for them to get back on the diamond,” he said. “So, we’re doing what we can to kind of help prepare those kids. It has been difficult for teams to go practice up until basically last week.”

Holoien acknowledged that there will also be some players that won’t get a chance to play in leagues this year or play at provincials. He said the 222 program is looking at some other ways they can get players on the diamond this summer in a variety of locations.

Meanwhile, there are still some restrictions in place for those playing softball. Athletes are still told to do their best to maintain social distance whenever possible, and disinfecting equipment is also highly encouraged. Holoien said they feel their sessions in Melfort will be safe.

“We feel that we’re being quite safe,” he said. “Our groups are very small right now, we’re staying under six people, although we can go a little bit bigger now, but the numbers are easier to work with, and we can social distance and do what we have to do to keep everybody safe.”

There will be three sessions each day for athletes at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Holoien said they are filling up quite fast but there are still a few spots available and you can contact Holoien to get your spot.

The 222’s also normally host the ‘222’s Fastpitch Shootout’ during Father’s Day weekend, but that was unable to happen this year. Holoien said they are working on a plan to still have that tournament sometime in the summer.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6