RHEIN - Long-time Rhein Rocket Terry Peppler has been recognized by Softball Saskatchewan.
Peppler, who has managed, coached, played and volunteered for not just his hometown Rockets but for softball across the province was presented an outstanding service award recently at the provincial softball organization’s 2022 Awards Dinner.
“It’s pretty awesome,” said Peppler when asked about the award.
In the citation, Peppler’s long career – five decades – was noted, and his dedication “to keep growing the game.”
Softball started in Rhein school for Peppler, and then when only 14, or 15, he was sent out to centrefield in a game for the senior team playing at Madge Lake.
“It got in my blood and became a passion, and I can’t get rid of it,” he said.
So while hinting he might like to just coach these days, or maybe even sit in the stands with a bag of sunflower seeds and watch a few games, Peppler has kept playing, and not as a part time fill in.
Peppler at age 61, has been the Rocket’s mainstay pitcher for years, including helping the team to its third straight Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League in 2022, being named playoff MVP in the process.
“I didn’t think I’d be pitching this long,” he said, adding he sort of expected son Brett to be in the circle throwing, but when he moved for a job, Terry said someone had to throw to keep the team going. “. . . I didn’t want to leave the team high and dry.”
And Peppler is proud the Rockets are still playing.
“So many teams I’ve played with (through the years) have shut down,” he said, adding “it’s awesome to keep the game going (in Rhein).”
So will he be back in 2023?
“I just keep going one year at a time. Hopefully I can be on the diamond in a coaching capacity at least,” he said.
But, if the Rocket’s need a pitcher Peppler isn’t saying he won’t try it again. There are some young players moving up soon, including grandchildren and Dave Renkas’ 14-year-old son, a pitcher, and Peppler said he sure hopes the team is still there when he’s ready, so he’ll do what he can to make it happen.
And besides the camaraderie of the team and the sport is really what matters, said Peppler.
“As long as I can keep the boys playing I will,” he said.
