By Matt Conrad, Sports Columnist
Well, football in Nova Scotia is over for the summer. So, let’s take some time to focus on some local baseball and softball.
On August 19-21 Mainland common shared the Men’s Senior Intermediate AAA Provincial championships. The tournament had 6 teams battle it out throughout the weekend. One of those teams was Spryfield. I was really hoping for a “hometown” win not only because it is my community, but I share the football field with one of the guys on the roster. Thalel Habib is a man I consider myself lucky to wear the same colours as.
Unfortunately, they came up short in the finals against Amherst. Amherst put up an 11-1 win to take home the provincial title. Good luck next year fellas! In the softball world, Nova Scotia had some representation at the Softball Canada Championships in BC this August. As the only team East of Quebec, these ladies knew they had to bring everything they could to show Canada what the East has.
The Sportwheels Recoil Ladies softball team started off the tournament extremely strong. After the first four games they were 4-0! But the competition is tough in this top tier tournament. After 8 games they were 4-4. However, they dusted off their uniforms and battled back to show what they truly have, winning the next two games to finish the round robin 6-4. Good enough for fifth place.
Coach Rob Keigan had this to say about his team, “Recoil represents top level softball from the Maritimes at the Canadian Championships. Top notch speed, defence, and power.” Keigan noted that Simone Spears was one of a few in the tournament that was hammering home runs over some deep fences.
There is also a personal attachment I have to this team outside of proximity. My sister, Erin Conrad, plays the Recoils. When Rob speaks of speed, I know many will think of Erin running those bases.
Although the ladies did not bring home the title this time. They put the rest of Canada on notice to watch out for the East! We have some great talent right here in our city. Congratulations to these women for pushing themselves to complete at the next level.
There are a lot of league tournaments and playoffs going on right here around our city so get out and enjoy some games!
Photos by David Cox
