Still time to try ladies fastpitch in Grande Prairie

Feb 23, 2018 | 1:15 PM

With one practice and a couple of pitching clinics already in the books, organizers say response has been good for a new Grande Prairie ladies’ fastpitch league.

“We’ve found there’s a great range of calibre of players that are wanting to play,” said Paul Wedman, Vice President of the Grande Prairie Fastball Association. “From people just wanting to learn how to pitch, all the way to people who’ve played in college.”

The women who have been out are very excited to see it making a come back,” he said. “Not to sound too cheesy, but it is a league of their own compared to playing mixed slo-pitch.”

Wedman says they’re hoping to have three teams in the Grande Prairie league and they’ve had interest from Valleyview and Fairview to put some of their girls’ teams in the league as well.

They’d also like to have a travel team.

“I feel with some of the women we’ve talked to who want to play on a travelling team, we definitely would be able to have a very competitive team to take to provincials and tournaments.”

If you’ve been thinking about trying it out, there is still time. They’ll be having a practice Sunday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Crosslink County Sportsplex. Cost is $20 per person.

Last time they worked on fielding and this time they will be using the batting cages.

“So those who have never played before can have the ball come at them a little faster than they’ve been used to at slo-pitch,” said Wedman.

Bring your ball glove and indoor shoes, and a bat if you have one.

There will also be a practice March 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sportsplex.

The league is also looking for umpires. If you’re interested in becoming an umpire you can send the Grande Prairie Fastball Association a message on their Facebook page.

by Sheena Roszell