COCHRANE— Cochrane Minor Ball wasted no time in getting back out on the diamond after the province announced the “Return to Play” plan on Wednesday (July 1).
The season kicked off with a game between Major House teams the Gators and the Lightning on Wednesday (July 1) at the Gleneagles ball diamond.
On Saturday (July 4), the Cochrane Rhinos took on the Cochrane Billionaires for a competitive match.
The game was off to a late start due to the deluge of rain in the early afternoon, but once the field was drained and the sun was out, it was game on for the young players.
The wet start didn’t slow either team down. Both teams played hard and played well.
The Billionaires were unable to slow the Rinos’ down once they built up momentum, resulting in a 10-7 victory for the boys in grey.
Win or lose, the players seemed to be happy to be back out on the field, playing the game they love with friends and family watching.
Corey O’How, President of Cochrane Minor Baseball, said that he’s heard as much from kids and parents.
“The kids that are playing are super excited to be outside playing with their buddies,” he said.
O’How said that the excitement extends past the kids, the parents are also glad for the return of minor baseball.
“We’re super excited to see the kids back out on the diamonds, having fun. Even though there are a few more rules due to COVID we’re excited to see them back out there,” he said. “I think, just as much as the kids the parents are excited to be back out watching the kids, seeing their friends, and enjoying the nice weather.”
O’How has also received a few comments from community members as they pass by the field.
“We’ve had a lot of people walking by Matt Krol saying it’s really nice to see the kids out back on the diamonds playing. That’s good to hear, when the community is kind of behind the kids and behind everybody getting back out.”
The return of baseball is likely a relief all-around, as many have spent the last few months more-or-less in isolation.
“I think it’s really important, mental health-wise for both players and the parents to get out and enjoy it and be around people and have some fun again,” he said.
The province is currently considering relaxing some of the restrictions to play with a tentative date set for Wednesday (July 15). The changes will be conditional on the COVID-19 situation within the province.
For many of the minor leagues in Cochrane, not much will change if the province relaxes the regulations.
However, for some of them, it could mean a more robust season, said O’How.
“The groups that it could affect are our Major teams because Little League is still hoping to have a AAA provincial tournament at some point,” he said. “If they decide to have a competitive season, in that case, Cochrane Minor Ball will look at what our options are.”
He noted that the Junior teams also could have more teams added to their league if the cohorts are expanded.
This year was a big year for the Major AAA team, the Cochrane Crush.
O’How said the kids were looking strong and had a good chance of going far this season.
“This year, for the Major AAA’s, this was their year to try to get to the Little League World Series,” he said. “That was really one of the things that they were hoping to do is have the Major AAA provincial tournament. It was some of the kids last year to try to get to that, so that was something that Little League really wanted to do was to try to have that divisional tournament for the kids to work towards," he said."
“Out Major AAA team this year is very strong, and the kids actually worked pretty hard all winter to prepare for this year. There are definitely some pretty disappointed kids."
