Major growth this year for Pincher Creek's Slow Pitch League

Robert Yanke pitching to Tyler Trodden
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Slow Pitch League has grown to 10 teams this year, doubling in size over last year. Their season began on May 16, and they use all three diamonds at Juan Teran Park on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with games scheduled to start at 6:30 pm on those days.


Teams this year:  Off Constantly, Hits and Giggles, Prodigy, Ballers, Sons of Pitches, Balls of Anarchy, Young and Wreckless, Raving Lunatics, Townies, and Alchoballics.

Each team is comprised of about 16 members, and the emphasis is on having fun.

"It started years and years ago," explains long time participant Robert Yanke, who pitches for the Alchobolics. "It stopped for quite a few years, then we started it up again three years ago.  The first year (2011) was not that successful, the second year got a lot better, we had five teams, and we're now in the third year and we have ten teams."

"Usually all three diamonds (at Juan Teran Park) are filled, which is kind of nice, to have that area.  This community has such nice ball diamonds, and it's nice to see the people of the community utilizing the facility.

"I've been playing ball on and off for the last 30 years, and I just enjoy playing.  I enjoy baseball, and it's a night out where you are doing some physical exercise.  You get the camaraderie of meeting and visiting with other players and your team.  It's nice to just get out in the community."

Yanke has been playing baseball most of his life.  "I played in my youth in Okotoks, Alberta.  It was a Double A team.  Fast pitch softball."

"We are always looking for sponsors.  We use the donations for equipment, jerseys, and those that can't really afford it."

"The average cost per player is about $50 per year."

"We still have a few that would like to play, but don't have the funds."

"We go through the Rec. Department, and we have team captains that control everything, and set up the games and everything.

"Anybody in town is welcome to come out and watch, and the games are played from 6:30 or 7 pm until 9 - 9:30, every Tuesday and Thursday."

One for the ladies