The local loop announced Friday that with the large-scale re-opening of much of the province, a quick four-week schedule had been put into place, with games set to begin on Monday, July 20.
Five teams will play this season — the perennial defending champion Park Hotel Colts, Hustlers and Heat alongside the Midget A Ice from the Moose Jaw and District Girls Fastball League and a crew from Assiniboia.
Teams will play eight games through August 13, with all contests at the Caribou Heights diamonds.
“There won’t be any playoffs or anything, it’s just a shortened season so we can get some games in,” said league organizer Caralie Wait.
“It’ll be nice to get back on the field even though it’ll be different. I think we’ll still be able to have some competitive games, and even with the social distancing and things like that, I think people are just happy back doing something physical and seeing people.”
The first games on July 20 will see the Heat taking on the Colts at 6:30 p.m. and the Hustlers battling Assiniboia at 8:30 p.m.
As one might expect, plenty of COVID-19 precautions will be in place, including social distancing and recording the contact information of any fans at the diamonds in order to facilitate contact tracing in case of an outbreak.
Like every sport currently in the first stages of opening up and returning the play, dealing with the differences is all fine and dandy if it means everyone can get back in action.
“We were debating whether or not we would go forward with the season, then just as a league we decided as a whole that this was kind of needed, even if just for our mental health,” Wait said with a laugh. “So we’ll go forward, and as long as there aren’t any changes in the current environment we’ll get some games in… If something happens, we’ll make some adjustments, but other than that we’re good to go.”
Other first-week games will see the Ice take on the Heat on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m., with the Colts taking on Assiniboia at 6:30 p.m. on July 23 and the Ice battling the Hustlers at 8:30 p.m. that same night.
For the full schedule and regular updates – including the Softball Saskatchewan guidelines for return to play – be sure to check out the Moose Jaw Senior Ladies Fastball League Facebook page.
