Two more weekends of summer and I don't think I've experienced one quite like this. Full of fun and ball action but it went way, way too quickly. We're getting a little sad in our house that the university kid is packing up getting ready to head back to school and the other child is readying to enter the high school hallways after the long weekend.
My humblest apologies to the Unity Farmers' Market people and customers! Thank you to Ruby for pointing out that I have been posting the wrong location for this event. This weekly event takes place at the Unity Friendship Centre starting at 2 p.m. every Thursday. It features the best of home-made, and home-grown products fresh and ready for you to enjoy. The Friendship Centre is located directly across from Unity Credit Union.
The UK Royals, after winning Saskatchewan provincials, travelled to Winnipeg, Man. to compete at Western Canadian Fastpitch championships Aug. 6-10. This team that was formed just three years ago earned their third consecutive provincial championship title as well as their third trip to Westerns under the leadership of head coach Randy Ervine, Joanne McAdam from Kindersley and Don Robertson and John "Huntzie" Klaehn, from Unity.
From their undefeated run at the provincial title just a month prior, it was clear that the Royals were a dominant force at Western Canadian championships. Meeting the Moosomin Predators in their opening game, a team the Royals defeated to capture the provincial title two years in a row, the Royals were ready for another rumble with the Moosomin team.
The first game's victory set the pace for the Royals as they swung out win after win. It was no surprise the team met arch rivals Moosomin once again in the 1 vs 2 page playoff game. A slugfest to the end, the UK Royals once again came out on top of the win column sending them straight to Sunday's final.
You could feel the tension in the air as both teams came out to warm up for the gold medal game Aug. 10. Neither team was willing to let go of their piece of the field as both squads slugged it out for the gold.
However, in the fifth meeting with this team, the Royals were unable to keep their winning streak alive as Moosomin defeated them in a close game to the end leaving the UK Royals with a silver medal.
This was the graduating year for veteran players who came on board the inaugural year of this junior team and they will now see the departure of Kindersley's Alex McAdam, who won tournament MVP during Westerns weekend and plate boss Marley Ervine whose leadership was undoubtedly a dominant factor for the team. Unity's Charnelle Jellison and Chelsea Robertson will also move from the junior ranks and their presence in the infield will be noticeably missed. No one could rock a fake pump holding a runner on third like Jellison, nor was there a bunt to get past her. Robertson's work on the mound, short stop and without a doubt, the best drag bunt that was a defensive nightmare for opposition, were all part of the cohesive and competitive composition of this team.
Rookie Shelby Solomko was tied for first place amongst the weekend's pitchers sharing the spot only with teammate Laura Stasiuk. Rookie Ally Cey was a force field on second base and as the smallest player on the team hit the biggest home run of the weekend. Rookie Kayla Hartley from the Edam area made her presence at the plate known with some big hits as well as even bigger actions in the field. The rookie squad on this year's team was completed with two other big sluggers from Kindersley, Kori Herner and Kennedy Harris, who also came up with the big catches the team could depend on.
Unity's Kelsey Wildeman was unstoppable at centre field and her speed on the bases was a huge asset. Megan MacDonald from Kindersley was the other unmistakable givens at the plate laying down the bunt and arriving on first consistently as well as vacuuming up any right field plays. Although it wasn't the finish the team was striving for, and once the sting of defeat wears off a little, they will realize the pride their fans had in the success this season was because of the fabulous team they were each and every time they stepped onto the field.
Sadly after trying out and practising for the annual Bantam Fall Ball Zone championship, the event was cancelled as only three teams would commit to the event. It was a disappointing turn of events for players and coaches were ready to show their Zone 7 pride and skills at this event.
The Pee Wee AA cardinals, after winning Saskatchewan provincials, earned their spot to complete at Western Canadian Pee Wee AA baseball championships. With Pointstreak carrying live coverage of the games, Unity fans were able to keep up with the team's success all weekend.
After losing their opening game the Cardinals belted out consecutive wins to have them tied for first place. This forced the team into a tiebreaker game that proved to be the test of stamina, perseverance and gritty play as the Pee Wee Cards battled back from an 11 - 3 deficit to come back to a 12-10 score. However, the ball gods were not kind and even with bases loaded they were unable to make the comeback complete and lost their chance to head to the final.
Although fans tweeted, texted and messaged team members and their families in their pride at how well they represented Unity, the sad disappointment for these players who left everything on the field will sting for a little while yet. Look out next year's baseball season!
With ball now over, players are eyeing the hockey conditioning camps and 3 on 3 events preparing for the upcoming hockey season. Check the Town of Unity's website and posters around town for upcoming registration deadlines for these events.
Sunday is the last day of the pool. Enjoy it while it lasts. We are expected to be enjoying our new swimming pool by next season.
The Fun Family Circus is coming to town Aug. 28. Advance tickets are available from the town office.
Delta Coop and Unity Credit Union partnered together to ride the "big bike" to benefit the Heart and Stroke foundation this past Wednesday. Team CUCO was combined of staff from both businesses in town and all participants came out to have some fun, dressing up and competitively taking on the fundraising challenge to see which business could come out with the most fundraising dollars.
Coffee row are first and foremost celebrating another Rider win! Although the last two wins for the green and white weren't pretty, they worked. And rowers are the best in weather experts. Wisdom can predict what modern science always cannot. Experience can tell us what the weather channels don't. And, hearty laughter helps us all realize no matter what Mother Nature hands out, there is always a place for a good laugh. Upcoming harvest, whether in the fields or in the gardens, provides some table talk, too. As differences around the world lead to violence, we can take pride and pleasure knowing no matter which side of the story you take, there is always a smile to share, a laugh to be heard and reassurance of reconvening the conversation the next day. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.
