Joey Payeur
It was like a scene straight out of “A League of Their Own.”
And now with an important milestone behind them, that’s something local diamond experts truly can say they have.
With the stands jammed to overflowing on a picture-perfect summer’s evening, the first Rainy River District Women’s Fastball League all-star game in more than 30 years unfolded at the Emo Sportsfields last Wednesday.
Team Kayla defeated Team Candy 13-7, with the line-ups split up as such that several players found themselves trying to hit or defend against people who usually are their teammates.
The final score was inconsequential, though, when compared to the appreciation of those involved for the chance to showcase some of the top talent that has marked the league’s second year of its rebirth.
“It’s unbelievable and a proud moment, I’m sure, for all of us here,” said league president and Fort Frances Herricanes’ shortstop Candy Teeple, who helped pick the all-star teams along with Redgut Babes’ catcher Kayla Windigo due to the fact their two teams made the league final last year.
“It’s a good feeling that everybody showed up, everybody was pumped, and we did our league justice,” Teeple added.
The league had been dormant for about three decades when it was revived last season as a five-team circuit.
That total doubled to 10 teams this year, but the rapid expansion has not proven to be a detriment so far.
“The players from the men’s league who have been helping us out as coaches have been unbelievable,” lauded Teeple, who entertained the crowd throughout the night with her lively commentary in her guest role as P.A. announcer.
“But they’re shocked that we’ve been able to have 10 teams stay strong throughout the season,” she added.
“I was worried that maybe we grew too big too fast,” Teeple admitted. “But something like tonight [Wednesday] gives us a lot of credibility and the fan base we have throughout the district is amazing.
“People who see the games going on as they’re driving by are stopping and coming to check out the games.”
Teeple believes as good as things are now, the league only may be scratching the surface of its potential.
“There’s still so many good players out there who haven’t even entered the league yet,” she noted.
“I’m sure the word will spread that the players we have here now are believing in this and buying into it.”
There was a healthy supply of gratitude from those who laced up the cleats for the historic occasion.
“It’s definitely an honour to be chosen to play in the all-star game because it’s nice to be recognized for all the hard work you put into games during the season,” said Northwest Bay shortstop Trish Smith of Team Candy, who led all players in the game with three hits.
“All the girls did a great job this year, not only the ones that played in tonight’s game but everybody on every team,” she added.
“The all-star game will definitely be a nice thing to look forward to every year.”
Manitou Blaze pitcher Karma Andy, who came on in the fourth inning to replace Team Candy starter Darcy Smith of Northwest Bay, agreed.
“I think the league is getting more recognized when you reach the point of having games like this,” said Andy, who struck out the side in the fourth and fanned six batters in her three innings of work.
Nancy Indian of the Big Grassy Lynx, meanwhile, was dynamite on the mound for Team Kayla, allowing only one run and four hits in four innings to get the win.
She whiffed nine batters, including at least two every inning and striking out the side in the fourth.
But it was a good night for the hitters, too.
Courtney Easton of the Couchiching Lady Raiders hammered an inside-the-park home run for Team Kayla in the first.
Caylee Woolsey of the Herricanes countered with an run-scoring double in the fifth and a bases-loaded three-run triple in the seventh for Team Candy to give her a game-high four RBIs.
In Teeple’s eyes, on this night, everyone came out a winner.
“I’m glad to be a part of this,” she beamed.
“I know my years of playing are numbered, but I’m glad to have been able to be in this league at the start of it.
“I’m thankful for Holly [Cogger-Bruyere, who ran the league last year] got a thought to do this and run with it,” Teeple added.
“I never would have thought it possible that this many people would be interested.”
