The Saskatoon Tigers and Regina Hitmen baseball clubs put on an exciting show for local ball fans earlier this month when the two Special Olympics teams took the field for a well-played afternoon doubleheader at Davidson.
“It was good,” said Tigers third baseman Braden Skillitier. “We had a lot of hits. We had a loss and a win. Regina was good.”
The scorching sun beating down on the teams Aug. 10 at the Davidson Ball Diamonds didn’t stop the players from giving their all in both halves of the two-game series that featured Tigers pitcher Trevor Unrau peppering the corners with smoke and teammate Morley Varcoe knocking the stuffing out of the ball to Hitmen ball players Morris Aisican running hard around the bases and Jason Mercer turning two from second. The boisterous crowd that filled the bleachers behind home plate showed their appreciation for the good effort whenever a nice hit was cracked or a strong defensive play in the field stopped a runner from advancing.
“It was great competition and great sportsmanship from everybody,” said Tigers coach Steven Koszman. “It’s a good social atmosphere and it’s a good opportunity for us to play in a game because our athletes practise (and) practise, but it’s really hard for us to find games. That is really what these games are all about. Give them that opportunity to compete.”
Rick Sanden, coach of the Regina Hitmen, said whenever the two teams meet the games turn out to be a fun experience for everyone involved and serve to keep the interest up among the players. He said a few members of their recent bronze medal winning team from the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games dressed for the Hitmen in the Davidson doubleheader and along with the new faces on the club allowed him to see where the team is at as they prepare to travel to St. Paul, Alberta, later this month for the Conrad Jean Slo-Pitch Tournament.
“Some of our guys (made plays) we haven’t seen before,” said Sanden. “There are a few things we’ve got to work on, but it was good (and) two close games.”
Koszman said the doubleheader at Davidson and everything else they do during the year is made possible through various fund-raising initiatives put on by Special Olympics teams including their popular SlugFest Charity Slo-Pitch tournament. He said the annual spring tourney raised over $15,000 this year and helps support the Special Olympics Saskatoon softball program through giving their athletes the money and opportunity to take part in sport, which sits fine with his third baseman.
“I love the game,” said Skillitier while the team packed away their equipment after the series.