Upsets and Unsung Heroes
Seven teams. Three days. One torn calf. Many bruises and skinned knees. Injured pride. Big smiles. The Slopitch 2024 Tournament had it all.
The Bowen Island Slopitch League (BISL) Executive prioritizes sportsmanship, inclusivity and fun. Their efforts were rewarded with a standing ovation on Saturday night. While the entire Executive is dutiful and hard-working, special attention must be paid to President (and most Sportsmanlike Male Player) Lee Vincent who both hates being singled out for praise and richly deserves it.
All the coaches notice new players on other teams. We notice their skill progress, their baseball IQ develop, and (hopefully) their love for the game grow. We root for you — especially those players who found the game later in life.
There’s nothing quite like watching someone struggle at the start of the season and then blast a triple over the head of an outfielder who underestimated them at the end. This year, I want to sing the praises of some of these unsung heroes.
The Blu’s
Coaches of the Year Linda Giusti and Peter Scott are dedicated and supportive — though Linda is a Yankees fan (nobody’s perfect). The defending champions came into the year-end tournament putting up three wins in their final four regular season contests.
The Phoenix took them out on Saturday but they had great seasons from rookies Jamie Arnold, Ben Hart, Gerry Miller and Sheryl McKercy all of whom came up with good plays in the tournament — but the most spectacular moment of all was Indigo Grant’s catch in deep centre field. The crowd at Snug Cove diamond lost their collective minds as she took away a sure extra base hit from the Loggers.
Basecombers
Bolstered by standout rookies Jessie Alder and Guthrie Gloag (who led the team in home runs and was voted Male Rookie of the Year) the ‘Combers had an excellent regular season, winning the League title with a 14-1-3 record. But a crafty game from the Burley Batters and a comeback performance by the Overloaders quashed their post-season dreams. They consoled themselves with the prestigious “Fun Points” award and the Legion dance floor. Police are still investigating the dance floor’s murder.
Burley Batters
New bench boss Scotty Cooke had his squad in fine form this weekend, putting up an impressive win against the Basecombers and two gutsy efforts against the Sluggers and the Phoenix. Erik Helssen didn’t look a day over 45 as he pulled off a great double play at shortstop — but rookie Paul Towne really brought his A-game. The 51-year-old hit .700 in the tournament and made several great defensive plays despite “leg carnage.” He also fought off a cougar attack with a rock — in 2016. Off-island. Relax.
Phoenix
The always dangerous squad looked to rise from the ashes of an average regular season. From Wilson Dives’ expert fielding and infectious enthusiasm to Most Improved Player Daniel McGregor’s reliable smile at home plate, they have a lot of weapons — but perhaps none as impressive as Danielle Savioz at shortstop. Savioz made a great grab, spun a 360, and fired a strike to Jay Layzell for one of the cleanest double plays the league has seen all year.
Overloaders
Coached by the four-headed monster of Rachel Klingler, Rich Ralph, Shannon Farley and Jesse Lyon the league’s newest team struggled out of the gate putting up a 4-14 regular season — but they found their game when it mattered most. The improbable underdogs eliminated both the Phoenix and the top ranked Basecombers and made the semi-finals. Vanessa Gustafson had never picked up a bat or a glove in her life before this season. She made clutch catches and good hits throughout the tourney and Agata “Aggie” Cibinski’s steady glove at home snatched away an in-the-park home run.
Loggers
Always dangerous, always fun-loving the Loggers are often considered the most talented and underperforming team in the league. But this year they bucked up past performances and cut right to the finals, narrowly losing to the Sluggers in a contest as tight as Iishan Cruz’s cut-off jean shorts.
Female Rookie of the Year Chelsea Strang impressed everyone with her gritty play and dedication to practice. Strang blasted crucial hits, made high IQ plays and was a key part of the Loggers’ run to the finals. Veteran Courtney Morris was just as dangerous, from her incredible grab in deep right field to deadly left field line drives, she had other team’s outfielders in fits.
Sluggers
Oh, the Sluggers. What can you say about them that hasn’t already been said about Ozzy Osbourne? Indeed, everyone’s favourite senior players (average age 49.03, even including a 20-year-old) rode a crazy train through the playoffs to become Tournament Champions for the second time.
The dynamic pitching duo of Diana “Dutchie” Jennings and Kevin “Kev” Manning proved unbeatable. Dutchie started each game and always gave Kevin the mound with a lead or a tie. Together they combined for an incredible zero walks in the entire tournament and caused a lot of great hitters to pop up or ground out.
Sluggers Championship Roster
Dave Atkinson, Lauren Tufts, Stef Shortt, Brad Rypien, Kevin Manning, Suzy Casilio, Mike Kenney, Jill Kenney, Seanna Strubin, Jill Taylor, Greg Bosworth, Richard Wing, Shawn Ohler, Spencer Grundy, Diana Jennings, Becca Behm, Casey Grundy, Randi Topp, Jacob Sims, Andy Behm, Andy Rainsley, Evan Sims, Diana Ray, Cindyl Arnold
As the dust settles on Snug Cove field this season, it is truly amazing how much so many people put into this league. From meetings, to practice, to scheduling, to coaching, to umping, to field maintenance (special shout out to Christian “Oda” Iverson at Metro) to full-on skills clinics (huge shout out to President’s Award Winner Bailey Hathaway whose dedication and love of the game are second to none) this league is truly one of the best parts of living on Bowen Island. May the 2025 season be even better.
