The NSRBL features a strong following in this part of the province, with two teams based out of the Battlefords, one in Meadow Lake, and 13 total from around the region. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Senior Baseball

NSRBL optimistic for spring season following positive AGM

Apr 12, 2021 | 2:22 PM

Baseball fans and players alike in Northern Saskatchewan can look forward to a likely return to the diamond for senior baseball this spring.

The North Sask. River Baseball League (NSRBL) held their AGM Sunday night, and following the meeting, co-commissioner of the league, Kelvin Colliar said the organization is optimistic and excited for the season ahead.

“I think the meeting went really well last night,” Colliar said. “We have 13 teams in the league that are committed to playing, including Wilkie, Macklin and St. Walburg, who took a leave of absence last year, but have all indicated that they will have a team again this year, which is really great to see.”

The proposed schedule for the spring season will be 12 games, allowing each team to play each other once. An official outline of the schedule will be submitted for approval April 26, with a hopeful start around the May long weekend. The season would then ideally wrap up the first week of July.

Ten teams will make the playoffs, including two wildcard series that will be determined via single-game elimination. The two victors advancing will be a part of the top eight-team bracket, with best-of-three series from there on, to the end of August to determine a league champion.

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Much like last year, Colliar said the biggest challenge in preparing for the season has been the uncertainty surrounding what COVID restrictions will be in place in the coming months. Although the league is hopeful for a full schedule this year, he said they have also been proactive in preparing alternative plans in case adjustments need to be made down the line.

If the league is unable to begin play until June 1, they would still intend to run a full 12-game schedule, just with a more contracted playoff schedule. If the earliest they can begin is July 1, he said they can always revert back to last year’s plan of a slightly-abbreviated eight-game schedule with teams playing only within their regions.

“We’re going to be fairly nimble in how we react, but the plan is to have a season and I think we will have a season,” Colliar said. “We’re going to plan for the best season we can possibly have, and then alter it if and when needed due to the restrictions in place at the time.”

As it currently stands, the Saskatchewan Baseball Association is still planning to run provincials, which would take place following the spring season, though the Canadian Baseball Federation has already decided not to host any kind of National Championships.

The NSRBL has another meeting scheduled for Apr. 28, two days after the next set of protocols from the province are scheduled to be outlined on Apr. 26.

For all the latest news on the NSRBL, visit their website.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1