The U12 Battleford Bandits are provincial champs again. Given their performance this past season, it shouldn鈥檛 be surprising.
The Bandits went 18-4-1 on the season, and went undefeated in the provincials tournament in Estevan on the July 15 weekend.
鈥淭hey swept the whole tournament and won six of their games by a pretty good margin,鈥� Coach Darren Russell said.
The Bandits also won provincials last year. This year was Russell鈥檚 first year coaching. He credits the players鈥� skill as a reason for their success.
鈥淎ll our kids are really strong batters,鈥� Russell said. 鈥淥ur kids hit for power, not for contact.鈥�
He added that defence was very good too, starting with pitching.
鈥淥ur starting pitcher is probably the best in Saskatchewan in U12 B,鈥� Russell said. 鈥淲e have a good core group of kids behind her, with really good fundamentals. Our back catcher is amazing, and I don鈥檛 know if it鈥檚 our group of girls, but they seem a lot better than kids their age.鈥�
