ASSINIBOIA — The Assiniboia Aces U17/19 softball team are part of both the Wood River League and the Moose Jaw League. Wood River League playoffs took place June 20–21, despite heavy rain, in Gravelbourg. Playoffs for the Moose Jaw League will be held July 9 for this division. Team manager Nadine Stevenson says this team is not competing at provincials this season.
The final of the Wood River League for the U17/19 team was moved to June 25, with Gravelbourg and Mossbank competing in that final.
Stevenson says the Assiniboia U15 softball team also plays in both leagues, with their playoffs upcoming in Moose Jaw on July 3. They are also registered for Softball Sask provincials in early July.
The Wood River League includes all age groups of baseball and softball, with the exception of no 18U baseball team for Assiniboia.
Stevenson also notes that some Assiniboia players are on AA and AAA teams, playing out of Moose Jaw and one team out of Assiniboia.
Candace Mowbray looks after the U15 Assiniboia Aces softball team, which also competes in both the Wood River League and Moose Jaw house league.
“Unfortunately, Wood River playoffs were June 20–21 weekend and we were not able to attend as we had already entered into a tournament in Moose Jaw several months prior,” adds Mowbray. “This MJ tournament prepares us for Softball Sask provincials in Estevan upcoming July 18–20.”
The U15 Aces will have league playoffs in Moose Jaw July 2–4.
Mowbray says she knows of Assiniboia girls who play with Moose Jaw house teams, as well as Moose Jaw Ice teams in both A and B divisions. Moose Jaw Ice teams hold tryouts and are travelling, tournament-based teams.
Players and teams are hopeful for some repeat success stories from 2024. Lily Kwasnicki was part of a silver-medal win at the Saskatchewan Summer Games, as well as the Western Canadian Championship, with Moose Jaw Ice U13A.
In 2024, Charlize Hillmer was part of the U15A Moose Jaw Ice team that won gold at provincials, earning a spot at the Softball Canada Championships.
Assiniboia’s Jenika Stevenson was part of the provincial silver medalist Â鶹ÊÓƵ Central Venom U17 team in 2024.
Toni Giraudier from Bengough played with the strong Â鶹ÊÓƵ East Steelers ladies’ fastpitch team, which won 2024 provincials and the Canadian Championship. The team is based out of Carnduff but includes players from around the province. Their 2025 provincial quest will take place in Carnduff in July, with the Steelers competing at the 2025 National Championship as reigning champs. The event takes place in Saskatoon in August.
Assiniboia Times reached out to the Assiniboia Minor Ball Association for more details on teams and players in playoffs and provincial quests, but as of press time had not received a response.
