The weather is perfect on a Wednesday night, the sun setting and the hot day cooling into the evening. The crack of bats sounds every so often, sending balls down the line and out deep, with runners jogging the bases, during St. Paul Slo-Pitch league playoffs.
As adults call out support to each other, and cheer on their teammates to hit the elusive home run, their children hold their own games, chasing bases and tagging each other out.
For the Lumberjacks and Curlers team, the league is a family affair, involving mothers, fathers and a host of children, the next generation of St. Paul slo-pitch.
“We have a lot of kids that come out to watch, and they enjoy ball. And they’re playing ball the whole time, so it’s good,” said team member Angela Noel.
At the conclusion of the team’s A competitive semi-final game against the Vikings, Noel and the other parents call out to their kids to join them exchanging handshakes with their opponents, making them truly part of this family-oriented team.
With the Lumberjacks and Curlers defeating the Vikings, 21 – 15, the team will next tackle the Swamp Donkeys in the A finals next Wednesday, playing for fun, and possibly the cash to pay for next year’s entry, as Noel explains with a laugh.
Ask anyone here why they’re playing, and their first response is to hold up a beer can and say something along the lines of, “This right here.”
But beyond the booze, the social aspect is obviously another big draw, bringing the ball enthusiasts out to the diamonds as soon as possible once the snow melts, and for many, drawing them out to other tournaments even after the St. Paul slo-pitch league wraps up.
The Roughest Rednecks, who took on and beat the Wolfpack team in the B final by 21-2, say that the core of their team has been playing together for years.
Steven Jeffery said he joined when a buddy started up the team about a decade ago, saying, “I wasn’t even driving yet,” to laughter from his fellow teammates.
“It’s great to hang out with your friends on a Friday,” says Neil Hodinsky, as Melissa Martin sums it all up, as this Wednesday night ball winds to a close -
“There’s nothing better than good weather, beer and ball.”
Results:
A competitive finalists – Swamp Donkeys vs Lumberjacks and Curlers (Final takes place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Diamond 5).
B competitive winner – 1st - Roughest Rednecks, 2nd – Wolfpack
A rec winner – 1st – Oil Country, 2nd – Hurtin Albertans
B rec winner – 1st - Creamery Bears, 2nd place - Brew Jays
