This weekend Unity played host to both mosquito and peewee boys baseball provincials. Fifteen boys' baseball teams from around the province descended on Unity for the A Championships July 15, 16 and 17. High performance teams coupled with dedicated coaches and accented with excellent umpires made for a super weekend of baseball. The grounds crew did an absolutely amazing job, as usual, and the teams competed in pristine conditions. Of course, the weekend would not have been deemed a success without the dedication and time of our many volunteers.
Unity Peewees won their first game against Nipawin Friday night. Saturday saw a tough loss to Carlyle in the morning. This presented a must-win situation for the Cardinals as they faced the Melville Millionaires on Saturday afternoon. Down 7-3, the Cardinals began to rally back, but it was too little too late and they were not able to score enough runs. They did not advance to the playoffs on Sunday. Semi-finals in the peewees saw Melville take on Humboldt and Melfort face Carlyle. The final action was Melville taking on a very strong Melfort team. Melfort Selects are the Peewee A Baseball Champions for 2011.
Unity Mosquitos faced Melville Friday night and captured their first win in only four innings. Saturday, they also defeated Kindersley in four innings. Friday evening, they faced Humboldt for first place in their pool. Humboldt came out on top. Semi-finals Sunday morning saw Humboldt take on the Lloydminster Twins and Unity facing Macklin. Humboldt moved on after four innings. Unity/Macklin was a battle. After going down 3-0 early, Unity tied it up in the second. Then a see-saw battle continued until Unity scored 2 in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead. Macklin was unable to capitalize with their turn at bat so the Cardinals advanced to the final for a rematch against Humboldt.
Humboldt came out swinging and took a 5-0 lead after the first inning. After two innings, they continued to lead 8-2. The score remained the same through till the sixth inning. One run came in for Unity; then with the tying run at the plate, a ground ball to the infield ended the inning and the game. Humboldt Heat are the Mosquito A baseball champs for 2011.
We congratulate our Unity Cardinals Mosquito A team for their silver medal at this year's provincials. After witnessing all the excitement you gave the fans this weekend, we are certain to see you back in the hunt next year for the provincial title.
Our Mosquito A2 team played very defiantly after being mercied in their first game. They came up with several big wins following, which led them to Sunday's playoff round. However, they were unable to advance from their first game there. As many members of this team were new to provincial competition, the coaches and parents were very proud of the team for digging deep and not giving up.
The bantam boys were vying for their chance at a provincial baseball title in Melfort this weekend as well. They opened their competition at 6 p.m. Friday, along with two games on Saturday. With the term "unfinished business" on their minds, the Cards were hungry for victory. They played solidly throughout the weekend, which took them into Sunday's playoffs. After winning the semi-final, they headed into the provincial championship final. It was one of those games that were a matter of inches and unfortunately the Cardinals came up with the loss. Fans, parents and coaches were very proud of the players' performance in winning silver in this year's provincial championship.
Next up for softball will be Zone 7 tryouts for bantams July 24. Players chosen will then begin practicing with their Zone 7 team, who will play in a zone tournament, hosted by Unity, on September long weekend. Coaches are expecting between 30-50 girls, who played softball in the zone this season, to come to tryouts. This would include players from Unity, Kindersley, Rosetown, Macklin and North Battleford, to name a few. This tournament will play host to the top zone teams, compiled of the top bantam players in both boys' and girls' softball. Brent Weber, local bantam coach, has been chosen to head up the squad, along with Kelly Rempel of North Battleford.
Watch for more details on this exciting event because, even though softball season is generally over at our diamonds, this tryout session and upcoming practices for the Zone 7 team will help fill your softball gap leading towards the tournament, Sept. long weekend.
Local softball players Charnele Jellison, Shirraya Tuscherer and Kelsey Wildeman are gearing up for their shot at Western Canadian Midget B Softball Championships in Medicine Hat on August 5-8 weekend. They will play an exhibition game in Unity against the North Battleford Jr. Vipers. They have been practising hard for their chance at the Westerns title. I will keep you posted on their road to this championship.
Summer Fun Center is in full swing. Last week saw a fire hall tour, slip and slide and even tie-dye shirt making. This week is theme week with a different theme each day. They are busy working on their Summer Fun Centre cookbook and they always include crafts each day, as well as games and water fun each afternoon. And don't forget - each Friday, they go swimming. Drop by the Unity Community Centre and Chantal, Jessica and Becky can show you what Summer Fun is all about. For more information or details, you can also contact the Town of Unity.
Drowning Prevention Week is being recognized at the swimming pool, July 18 to 22. Monday, the staff held a B BQ from 5-7 p.m. The staff also did face painting July 19 and 21. July 20 is float day and people were encouraged to bring a favorite floatie. A minimum of two people per floatie was imposed; otherwise that pool is just too crowded. PFD swim day is July 22, so please bring your life jacket/PFD for swimming from 2-5 p.m. that day.
Next week, the pool is pleased to present 1992 Olympic Games diving competitor, Mary DePiero, who will present a diving clinic from 6-8 p.m. July 27, 28 and 29. Cost is $5 per day or $10 for all three days. You must pre-register with the swimming pool at 228-2133.
There is also a Moonlight Swim every Monday and Wednesday from 10-11 p.m. for ages 12 and up. Aquasizes are running and there is public swimming each afternoon and evening. The pool also takes bookings for birthday parties. Contact the Unity Centennial Swimming pool for more details or log on to www.townofunity.com for more information.
The Communities in Bloom committee is extremely excited because show time is rapidly approaching for the National Communities in Bloom competition. Because Unity won the provincial competition for this project in 2010, they were eligible to enter for the national field. The judges arrive here in town July 28, so committee members are asking all residents to keep their yards neat and tidy for this day. A residential home garden tour was to take place July 21. And don't forget to attend the community picnic July 28 from 5-7 at the regional park, along with various other activities to celebrate this event. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out. The judges who are coming will be Lorna McIlroy from Grande Prairie, AB and Joanne Duphy from Souirs, P.E.I.
The Paw Park has been fundraising for the last year and half and has a long list of businesses and people that have graciously donated to the off-leash dog park. The Town of Unity has granted one acre of land on the northwest edge of town for the use of an off-leash dog park. We hope to have the park opened in a couple of weeks. There will be signage at the park that clearly states the rules. "The Town of Unity nor The Paw Park committee will be responsible in any way for any damages caused by your dog. Dog owners shall use this off-leash park at YOUR OWN RISK, town of Unity animal control bylaws apply! The development of this park is for the purpose of exercising and socializing your dog in a contained off-leash environment. We hope to see this park used to its full potential and kept CLEAN in its natural state."
The Unity Golf Club is in full swing with ladies' night running Tuesday evenings and men's night running on Wednesdays. The club is busy this summer with family reunions and have hosted several business golf tournaments already. Upcoming for the club, August 6, are several more business sponsored tournaments. As well, August 18, they will host a seniors' tournament, followed by a four- man scramble August 20. Heartland Health is hosting an event here August 21. A ladies' tournament August 27 will be followed by the members' tournament August 28. The club will host the Fun Day of Golf September 10, a fundraiser for the new community hall and pool fundraising committee. And September 18, the club will play host centre for the annual Candace Heit Memorial Run. Make sure to call the golf club if you want information on any of these activities, or to book a tee time at our golf course.
Unity is hosting a tennis clinic with instructor John McKenzie from 6 - 7 p.m., July 28. Interested participants should contact the town office, or they will accept drop-ins the night of this clinic.
Coffee row tells me they will no longer keep secrets as it makes women suspicious! They said this with a wink, wink and a nudge, nudge. So this week I know, they are tired of discussing the Royal visit to Canada in early July, they have discussed all the great plays at the recent ball provincials held in town and the weather is getting to be an old topic; so they have turned their attention to trying to figure out the team wearing Rider uniforms at Mosiac. And . . . so again you can see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week . . .
