Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Slo-pitch games are back in full swing in Jasper.
And these days, the games are as much an exercise in COVID-19 protocol as they are playing softball.
Coaches from the Jasper Mixed Slo-Pitch League (JMSPL) got together in mid-June to plan the summer's game schedule following the go-ahead of stage 2 of the province's Relaunch Strategy.
"It's a fun league this year," said Terry Neufeld, who helped get the games going this year, and has served as president of the JMSPL in years past.
Neufeld praised the efforts of many others "who have worked so hard to get the schedule organized and equipment in place, to have a successful, fun year".
The Municipality of Jasper keeps the grass trimmed across the wide field and players on each team help with the upkeep of the baseball diamonds. Neufeld said they pitch in regularly, including raking the infields.
Eight of nine teams got on the diamonds June 28 to play their first games, which are scheduled weekly on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
There are two games each evening, at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., on the 'B' and 'C' diamonds.
"People warm up on the ‘A' diamond, or go to the top of the hill to throw the ball back and forth," Neufeld said.
Neufeld acknowledged there were concerns about people getting together, but said players are couples and other friend and family groups who socialized before the games started.
"People have been really good at the distancing," said Neufeld. "Everybody is aware of everybody else."
Neufeld emphasized that players realize the importance of practicing COVID-19 protocols and said hand sanitizer is a plentiful part of the gear for games.
Those cautions allow a careful camaraderie.
"For everybody to go down there - and the physical exercise - they can have some fun and chat, be out in an open field, have a chance to social distance and still talk," Neufeld said.
"It's really, really great for morale. It definitely lifts the spirits up when they're outside."
Games are scheduled until the end of August.
