The Merritt Pride girls’ softball team will head to the B.C. peewee championships in Cranbrook next week a year older, a year wiser, and undoubtedly a year better. Virtually the same squad attended Provincials in Quesnel one year ago. They came back from the Cariboo with just a single victory in four outings, but with a whole lot of valuable experience. According to Pride head coach Bob Simpson, it’s made the Pride a better and hungrier team this time around.
“For many of the players, this is actually their third Provincials, if you include two years ago when they went to Richmond as a squirt team,” says Simpson. “It’s definitely helped them. They’ve been there; they’ve seen what it’s all about; they’ve seen what the other teams offer.”
Simpson likes the fact that his team is mostly comprised of second-year players this time around, which puts them more on an equal footing with the veteran-laden squads coming from the Lower Mainland and the Island.
“As a second-year team, this is our chance to have some success,” he states. “I think that we can actually go there and do some damage.”
Pride catcher Kelsey Stewart, 14, is of the same opinion as her coach. “Last year’s Provincials were kind of nerve-wracking. The girls [on the other teams] just seemed to be more developed in their skills – their hitting, their throwing and their catching. Our team wanted it [success], but we just didn’t have the skills.”
Stewart likes what her teammates bring to the table this time around, particularly from the mound.
“Our pitching this year is faster and more accurate. I think that other teams will have a tougher time hitting against us.”
One of the Pride’s three ace chuckers, Jaycee Chenier, agrees with Stewart’s assessment. “Our pitching is much stronger in terms of accuracy. We’re finding the strike zone more often. “
Simpson also likes what he has seen this season in the throwing department.
“Our pitchers have come a long way this year. They’ve definitely improved to where they’re throwing more consistently. Last year, they were struggling to find the strike zone, and when you’re doing that it’s hard to stay competitive. “
Simpson credits most of the pitching improvement to the work of 18-year-old Melissa Newell. The graduating Grade 12 student at MSS, and veteran softball player, has come on board this year as an assistant coach, and worked wonders with the Pride girls.
“She’s been terrific in every way,” says Simpson, “helping the girls with pitching, hitting and base running. They really respond to her.”
Newell, who spent last season playing with a midget girls team in Kamloops, will be attending Provincials in Cranbrook, as will Shannon Ware, last year’s Pride head coach.
“Shannon will probably manage the bench,” says Simpson, “while Melissa and I will coach the bases. It should really work well.”
Simpson is very thankful for all the help he has been getting with the coaching. “With my four on, four off schedule [at Highland Valley Copper Mine], I haven’t been to anywhere near as many practises as I’d like. People like Melissa and Don Chenier have really carried the load. They’ve stepped up big time for me.”
Simpson adds that the community of Merritt has also been a huge supporter of the team and its preparations for Provincials.
“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to a bunch of businesses in town – Wal Mart, Canadian Tire, Murray GM, Coyote Collision, Pine Ideas, Ardew Wood Products and Extra Foods. They’ve all been amazing.”
The Pride team has a raffle on the go right now to help them raise funds for Provincials. The prize is $500 in gas or groceries from Extra Foods. Tickets are available from any Pride team member, and at the entrance way to Extra Foods most afternoons right up to the draw date on July 4th.
Asked if she thinks her team is going to do better at this year’s Provincials, Jaycee Chenier responds succinctly and without hesitation, “Most definitely.”
