Tadpoles are in the development stages of baseball, too, and the boys and girls making up the two teams from the Chemainus & District Baseball Association and four from the Ladysmith Baseball Association in the Forrest Memorial Tournament displayed incredible growth from the experience.
Games were co-hosted at the Chemainus Ball Park and Ladysmith’s Dogwood and High Street Fields in the event Friday through Sunday.
“The tournament was such a blast,” noted Lara White, the secretary of the Chemainus Association, who also helps manage and coach the Chemainus Raptors Under 9 team.
Both the Chemainus Raptors and Rockets did a fantastic job. They didn’t make it into the top three, but “we had fun and that’s what counts,” conceded White.
The Chemainus teams played each other Friday to open the round robin portion of the tournament and met again Sunday in a battle that went to an extra inning. The teams normally play five, but this game got extended to six and the Rockets won by one run.
“The spectators were cheering, the kids were making double plays, pitching near shutdowns and hitting the ball way into the outfield,” White pointed out. “It was an epic Chemainus vs. Chemainus battle, arguably the most exciting game in tadpole tournament history. And I think it ignited a great love for the game of baseball in both the players and their parents.”
The Chemainus players are also fortunate to have coaching help from Rhianna Pettapiece, who grew up playing in the Chemainus association and is happy to pass on her experience. More on her in next week’s Courier.
Shea deWit and Jeff Parker deserve some serious accolades for their coaching contributions. A lot of parents and grandparents also come out to help and pitched in at every practice and game.
“When they say it takes a village to raise a child I think we definitely saw that philosophy in action this ball season,” added White. “Looking forward to next season.”
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don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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