UNITY — When the Unity Junior Cardinals won the one-game wild card elimination game to stay in the playoff hunt in the NSRBL league playoffs, coaches wanted to ensure the team stayed at the top of their game.
July 9 and 10, the Cards hosted a two-day event playing two different teams to keep the competitive drive going before playoffs begin. They played host to both the Calgary A’s and the 22U North Battleford team in a weekend that included an event flavour as it included an on-site beverage garden with adjacent U19 provincial championships on another diamond.
Cards Coach, Dan Feser, says, “This was dry run for us in all regards for provincials. Game prep, beer gardens, grounds crew, all the work that goes into hosting we allowed our parents to do for years and of course, pitch counts and more reps with guys in different positions”
Feser said the coaches had guys in final “auditions” for pitching and other late game situations that can’t be recreated in practise.
“It was a great weekend of ball. We didn't play exceedingly well but I know we will be better because we will have to be. The girls won and we got to be a small part of that.”
Cards player, Skyler Mackie, talks of upcoming league playoffs, adding,” Battleford is a good team and we've had a couple close losses against them this season. As a team we've improved throughout the season and lately have been playing our best ball. In order to give ourselves the best chance to win we're going to have to continue this. “
The Cards start their league playoff quest on the road July 12 and will be back on home diamonds July 13 with game three, if necessary, back in the Battlefords.
Provincials for 22U will be held in Unity July 22 to 24 weekend.
