There may have only been three teams hitting the diamonds in Fort Assiniboine over the weekend, but the competition was high at the peewee county ball tournament June 7.
Two peewee teams from Neerlandia and one from Fort Assininobine competed in the tournament.
In the final game at 2 p.m., bragging rights would go to at least one Neerlandian team: Neerlandia #1 or Neerlandia #2.
With beautiful weather and stands full of fans, coach of Neerlandia #1 Barry Strydhorst said the tournament went smoothly.
He was however a little disappointed there were only three teams at this age level. At each level above and below peewee there are several teams this year.
“I don’t know what it is,” he said. “Every other year, this level, it’s like there are no kids this age.”
But, despite the low number of players, the kids still had a ball and each team was met with a challenge.
“The games were really close,” said Strydhorst. “There were no blowouts, so it made for a really good day.”
A high level of intensity filled the atmosphere during the final game, as both teams battled for victory.
The Neerlandians had faced each other that morning, the victory separating the two by just one run.
“It was 13-12 for us earlier today,” said Strydhorst. “Either team could have won those games, for sure.”
The last game would be no different than this: close.
At one point Strydhorst said he noticed his team was down by five runs, and even after a comeback the players continued neck in neck.
In the end, Neerlandia #1, won.
“Things just came together and it turned it around,” said Strydhorst.
“We managed to squeak out a win.”
Throughout the season, added Strydhorst, the biggest strength for the team came when the players began to work well together.
“They start knowing what each person is going to do,” he said. “They really gelled as a team.”
