Blackburn Ladies Softball League

Twice a week for the past 25 years a group of mothers, wives, girlfriends and even a few grandmothers have gatheRickard's Red on a baseball diamond in Blackburn Hamlet to play a little softball, share a few laughs and generally have a good time.

Participants come from every conceivable walk of life and have varying degrees of ability, but all share a common bond - they love the game.

Last Monday night, the Blackburn Ladies Softball League wrapped up their 25th season as the fourth place Grey team took on the second place Teal team for the league championship.

The game was a tightly contested affair. Heading into the final inning the Grey held a one run lead before scoring six runs in their half of the seventh. The Teals did their best to fight back in the bottom of the inning but fell just two runs short giving the Grey team the 23-21 victory and the league championship.

After the game, Grey captain Louise Perrault praised her teammates for contributing to the big win.
A year short of her 50th birthday, Perrault is a relative rookie having only been in the league for the past four years.

She joined the league to meet a few new friends and stay active. She continues to keep playing because of the camaraderie and the overwhelming desire of everyone involved to have fun. In fact, having fun is written into the first article of the league's bylaws.

"It really is so enjoyable and everyone treats everyone else as an equal. It doesn't matter if you're really good or not so good, everyone is the same," says Perrault.

The philosophy that everyone be treated equally is one of the main attractions of the league.
Prior to the start of every new season players are categorized as to their ability. They are then assigned to their respective teams, which are selected from scratch every spring, based on a formula, which ensures that every team has a variety of players with varying degrees of skill.

In that way, says league president Candis Emery, participants are encouraged to meet new friends and the play on the field is kept relatively competitive.

"Each team has a good mix of beginners and veterans," says Emery.

The league is open to women 18 years and older. At present, the league's membership is split 50/50 between Blackburn Hamlet and Orléans.

Teal team member Julie Cathcart has been in the league for 12 years and wouldn't give it up for the world.

"It's fun. You have some girls who never played and some who are very strong and everyone plays together," says Cathcart.

Besides the laid back atmosphere, the other main attraction of the league is the chance for the women to have a respite from their husbands and kids twice a week for at least three months.

A quick scan around the stands at last Monday's championship game turned up scant few males although there were a few kids running around.

All in all the Blackburn Ladies Softball League provides women in the east end with a trememdous opportunity to play a little softball, meet new people and have fun.

For more information about the Blackburn Ladies Softball League visit www.blackburnladiessoftball.com.

"Lady softballers in a league of their own"