While there remain questions and unknowns the Yorkton Crush are proceeding as if a girls' softball season will take place this spring.
“We've got some plans in place,” said organization spokesperson Jen Stackhouse.
Those plans have included taking registrations, and those are up some 30 per cent.
“We’re excited to get more than 100,” said Stackhouse, adding they had 72 in 2020. “Having 100 girls is pretty encouraging – a lot of new families with young girls starting to play.”
New blood in the organization, especially among parents is welcome, and Stackhouse said a number have already shown a willingness to volunteer to help, and that is important too.
Stackhouse said it is hoped some of the new faces will allow their names to stand for a spot on the Crush Board when the annual general meeting, planned as a virtual affair, is held April 20. She said a number of directors have girls in the organization about to graduate out, so some new parents will need to take the leadership.
“Being a parent is more than paying fees and dropping girls off for games,” she said.
As for plans to play, Stackhouse said with added numbers, and COVID restrictions limiting team size to 10, the Crush will have two teams at the U8, U10, U12, U14 and U19 levels.
Initially practices, which they hope begin in May, will see teams split over two fields at the complex at York Lake Regional Park, said Stackhouse, adding they would then move to playing games within the organization, pending approval from Softball Saskatchewan.
“We’re hoping the first week of May to get things rolling out there . . . We’re hopeful to be able to get right into games . . . It depends on the return to play protocols,” she said.
Stackhouse said she has also been in conversation with softball organizations in Melville and Esterhazy, and there is interest to play Crush teams this spring.
“That’s in the works. We’re hoping for the best in that situation,” she said, adding they again await decisions from the provincial organization.
