Saskatoon's new nostalgia-driven baseball team a home run
CBC
When Craig Wilson started a recreational baseball team in Saskatoon, he didn't know if anyone would show up. But just like the character Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams, Wilson discovered that if you build it, they will come.
Wilson had been watching the development of sandlot leagues in the United States. The leagues provide adults with the opportunity to play baseball in a non-competitive atmosphere.
"It comes from the movie with the same title where these same kids get together and play every week," said Wilson.
"It's quite loose but they still play the rules properly."
In a Goldilocks-like dilemma, Wilson had found senior men's baseball too competitive, but slo-pitch too casual.
He decided to create his own sandlot team, the Bridge City Blue Jays. He rented a diamond in Nutana Kiwanis Park and spread the word.
"I didn't even think I would have much interest in it because I don't have a ton of baseball buddies," said Wilson.
"But there was a lot of interest, and there's even more interest. Everybody asks me every week if they can bring two of their buddies."
Since September the team has been meeting every two weeks for a game. Between 20 and 30 people show up and divide into two sides.
The game has key components of sandlot-era baseball — such as using wooden bats — but there are some changes to the rules to make sure it stays fun.
"If you hit a home run over the fence, you have to switch hands and bat the other way the rest of the game just to try to encourage balls in play instead of guys just trying to hit," said Wilson.
Despite there being no official competitive aspect, the team has a professional look. Wilson is a graphic designer and had uniforms with a custom logo ready for everyone at the first game.
"I wanted a sense of professionalism to it without it being part of a league," said Wilson.
"That seems to be a part of this whole sandlot revolution too. Even though it's unorganized, and even though it's non-competitive, everyone sort of takes the look and feel of it seriously."
An 87-year-old Alberta man is fighting extradition to the United Kingdom to stand trial for historical allegations of physical and sexual assault involving minors.
Eight casinos across southwest B.C. have been sold to First Nations in the last two years, with the province's gambling scene set to be reshaped as a result.
Hamilton hosts the Junos Sunday, and the musical awards show is bringing tourists, musicians, concerts and a ton of themed events to the city this week.
The multi-million-dollar deal at the heart of a high-profile fight between the Canadian government and one of the world’s biggest carmakers contains multiple clauses about the company’s footprint in Ontario, according to a copy obtained by CBC Windsor.
In recent months, Calgary police have carried out three day-long safety blitzes, parading out dozens of officers to flood an area with their increased presence — at least, temporarily.
A national organization is seeking people with experience in Canada's forestry sector as they put together a working group that will examine ways to improve forest recovery following wildfires.
Ella Heyder is bracing for a breakup, even though she already moved out decades ago.
Shawne Hopkins never saw it coming.
Politicians return to Queen’s Park Monday for a shortened spring session, as Premier Doug Ford prepares to unveil his eight budget amid heightened global economic uncertainty.
Despite a recent announcement that a water supply pipeline will be build in Oneida Nation of the Thames, some members of the community say that's no excuse for taking water for granted.
As scandal has swirled around former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, questions and curiosity have also focused on his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, and their daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.
Friday may have been the first day of spring, but winter storms are not over yet for Newfoundland.
While we officially welcomed spring last week, an incoming system will be a reminder that snow is still very much part of the new season, especially early on.