MINDEMOYA—The annual Mindemoya Youth Softball tournament made a very triumphant return last weekend after two years of being shelved due to the pandemic.
Thirty-three teams took part in five divisions, with a total of 380 kids taking part. This didn’t include just teams from Manitoulin Island. In fact, five teams from Espanola took part after the Espanola Minor Baseball had their league teams’ playoffs finalized before this past weekend so their teams could take part in the Mindemoya tournament.
Kelly Paradis told The Expositor, “I have two teams in the King and Lockeyer divisions and we have been in this tournament since its first year. The Espanola Minor Baseball League has five teams in this tournament after having rearranged our playoffs. We wound up our season on Thursday instead of on the weekend.”
“A large number of the kids have played here for years, and three other teams,” said Ms. Paradis. “This is a great tournament and the kids have so much fun. They love it. And Greg Lockeyer is a rock star.”
In the Prescott Family A Family Division (8-10 year-olds) the RBI Connections defeated the Li’l Rippers by a score of 11-1 in the championship final.
Members of the RBI Connection included Lyndra Madahbee, Tate Abottossaway, Shoni Chiblow-Carpenter, Boston Abottossoway, Jill Secord, Jack Vanvolkinburg, Kailin Inglis, Matieus Behm, Brianna Beck, Eli Vanvolkingburgh and Laine Coleman
The Bad News Bears won the Prescott B Division final over the GB Bucks by a score of 9-5.
In the Lanktree Family Division (11-13 year-olds) A division, the Bench Warmers (Espanola) defeated the Trash Pandas 13-11. The Bench Warmers included Carter Mullen, Cooper Farquhar, Hayden Morrell, Max Jouppi, Jackson Bentley, Payton Tamura, Mackenzie Beroll, Marly Paradis, Abby Parker and Brooke Herranen.
The King Family Division (age 14-16) final game was won by the Basic Pitches 21-9 over Papertown Baseball. The Basic Pitches team roster included youngsters from all over Manitoulin: Andrew Cooper, Andrew Rose, Colin Lindner, Brodie Pennie, Eli Locke, T.J. Green, Mackenzie Green, Morgan Green, Annie Balfe, Maren Kasunich, Saraya Eshkawkogan, Brooke Gibeault and coaches Ron Cooper and Tina Balfe.
In the B division final, the Mini Hazzards defeated McGlovin 8-6.
In the Lockeyer Family Division (17-18 year-olds) in a thrilling championship final game, the Purple Jelly Fish defeated The Heat 13-12 in a game that came down to the last batter. Members of the championship team included Owen Leblanc, Connor Langlois, Liam Gray, Ethan Lamothe, Andrew Langlois, Karsten Tamura, Alex Langlois, Gracy Gray, Chloe Paul, Ali Leginski and Amelia Noble.
Mr. Lockeyer praised all the teams and players in the Lockeyer Family Division. He explained that the tournament committee had made a decision, that was not unanimous, to allow the age 17-18 age division this year. “Congratulations to all teams for displaying tremendous sportsmanship and behaving so well. It is because of all of you that this division will be part of next year’s tournament.”
In the B division, Average Joes defeated the Redneck Islanders.
There were five divisions, with the t-ball teams playing an exhibition, added Mr. Lockeyer.
Mr. Lockeyer told the large number of people who attended the final game of the tournament, “thanks everyone for coming out after things were washed out the past two years. This year’s tournament was an overwhelming success. “I would like to thank Devin Lockeyer for organizing all the umpires to be here this weekend, and of course, to all the umpires.”
“You can’t run a tournament with 380 kids and 74 games without an awesome volunteer team,” added Mr. Lockeyer, naming Annette King, Shannon Drouin, Tammy McAllister, Ashley Taylor, Reid Taylor, Glen Duncanson, Devin Lockeyer and Al Davy. They all did a hell of a job this weekend.”
