In the fall of 2021 David Renkas decided he wanted to try and put together a U13 boys fastball team for the 2022 season. He invited any local boys from this age group to come out and try a few practices before winter to see if there was something they might be interested in playing in the spring.
When spring of 2022 arrived the team consisted of boys from Ituna, Balcarres, Foam Lake, Neudorf, Sheho and Wynyard. The “league” included teams from Prince Albert, Delisle, Debden, Laird, Ochapowace, Okanese, Saskatoon and Rosebud (Wadena). While there were no regularly scheduled weekly games there were 3 or 4 days held throughout the season where any teams could attend and play a set number of games.
Ituna Blue Jays attended one of these days in Fishing Lake on July 9th. They also hosted exhibition games with Rosebud and Ochapowace to prepare for provincials.
On the weekend of July 15-17, the Ituna Blue Jays travelled to Delisle for provincials. Entered into the B division, they played in extreme temperatures of no less than 35 degrees, unless it was a torrential downpour complete with funnel clouds. They went undefeated through regular play, defeating Ochapowace, Delisle and Okanese.
In the championship round it was the first place Ituna Blue Jays vs the fourth place Ochapowace Loud Voice. The Blue Jays defeated Ochapowace 8-1, earning their spot in the gold medal game.
In the final they came up against a hard hitting Debden team. Debden scored two in the first inning, Ituna responded with the maximum of 5 runs. In the second inning, Debden scored their maximum 5 runs and Ituna again answered back with 5 runs. 10-7 Ituna. Debden was scoreless in the 3rd and 4th innings. Ituna scored 2 in the bottom of 3, making it 12-7. When Ituna was up to bat at the bottom of the 4th inning, they only needed to score one run to put the game out of reach. Machuik was walked to first, and with aggressive base running, scored the run on a pass ball while Filarczuk was up to bat. Winning pitcher was Geisler.
Coach Renkas acknowledges it was a great group of players and parents that came together to allow these young men to showcase their ball talent. It was a great year.
