The Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League welcomed the Rhein Rockets, and Gordon’s to the league at their annual scheduling meeting Tuesday night. The two teams join the Wadena Bantam’s, Fishing Lake Cubs, Foam Lake Merchants, Wynyard Blues, Rosebud Royals, and last years Champions the Stoney Creek Braves. Carter Kolybaba, Richardson Pioneer Director of Operations, Wadena Business Unit, said "Richardson Pioneer is happy to be returning as the title sponsor in the Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League. As the league has grown to eight teams, with the addition of the Rhein Rockets and Gordon’s First Nations, we are pleased by the impact the league has made in communities in East Central Saskatchewan by offering a competitive fastball league for rural community members.”

This will be the 3rd season for the league that prides itself on high participation. In an effort to encourage more players to join the league, the rules allows all players to bat every game (until playoffs), and rules are in place to avoid (non-weather) cancelations. Jason Bitternose of Gordon’s, said “We chose to join the league due to its reputation of no cancelations, close proximity, and ‘all-players bat’ rule which all offer our young players a chance to play and develop their skills". Darin Faubert, coach of the Wadena Bantam Boy’s team added "The Bantams play in the men’s league as it helps them better prepare for Canada-wide competition. The benefit of having more balls in play and more hits to the outfield is a huge benefit to our fielders. In addition to this, seeing faster pitching and more movement of pitches helps develop our hitting.”

The league schedule is being finalized with intentions to start the first week in May, and wrapping up with a 8-team double knockout tournament June 29th, and 30th in Foam Lake (Weather Permitting).

Wadena Wildcat PeeWee Boys are Provincial Champs! Bantams finish with Bronze!

U16 Bantam – Beat Saskatoon last night 13-6. Lost to PA this morning 1-8. Lost to shellbrook. and to Saskatoon Sunday to finish 3rd.

U14 Peewee – Won against Saskatoon 9-6. Played PA and lost and defeated Saskatoon 7-6. The Wadena Wildcat U14 Boys are PROVINCIAL CHAMPS after a 9-2 win over PA in the Fina.

Wadena Wildcat Provincial Update:

U16 Bantam – Beat Saskatoon last night 13-6. Lost to PA this morning 1-8. Lost to shellbrook. Play at 12p tomorrow. It will be shellbrook or Saskatoon – they play at 8a to see who it is.

U14 Peewee – Won against Saskatoon 9-6. Played PA and lost. Play at 10a tomorrow morning against saskatoon

Stoney Creek awaits the winner of Rosebud Royals and the host Wynyard Blues 1:30 game in the Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League.

Wynyard dropped to the B after a A final loss to Braves while Rosebud found their way to B final with wins over Wadena and Foam Lake.

Game 1: Wynyard 14 Wadena 7
2: Stoney Creek 3 Rosebud 2
3: Wynyard 10 Foam Lake 7 {extra inning}
4: Rosebud Royals 11 Wadena 1
5: Rosebud 9 Foam Lake 1
6: Wynyard vs Rosesude 1:30
7: Winner of game 6 vs Stoney Creek 4:00
8: if needed. 6:00

NEW Playoff Schedule!
Wadena Minor Sports Wildcats vs Wynyard Blues 10:00
Rosebud Royals vs Stoney Creek Braves 12:00
Foam Lake Merchants Fastball Club vs winner of 10:00 game 2:00

Tournament Rules
➢ 7 inning games
➢ Mercy Rule in effect
o 15 up after 3
o 7 up after 5
➢ International Tie-Breaking Rules in effect

Finals Standings set after 4 Games June 20th

June 20th Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League:
Stoney Creek Braves 11 Fishing Lake Cubs 1 Syd Keshane WP;
Stoney Creek Braves 6 Rosebud Royals 3 WP Rodney Hather WP;
Foam Lake Merchants defeated Wynyard Blues twice 15-3 and 12-8 James Anderson WP in both
HR: Korby Koshman, Greg Beaudoin

Even though the Blues still face the Fishing Lake Cubs once more game, the June 20th games Solidify the Final standings:
Foam Lake Merchants 8-2
Stoney Creek Braves 7-3
Rosebud Royals 6-4
Wynyard Blues 4-4-1
Fishing Lake Cubs 3-6
Wadena Wildcats 0-9-1

Richardson Pioneer Men’s Fastball League Playoffs are set to start Saturday at 10:00 in Wynyard with the Wynyard Blues (4th) against the Fishing Lake Cubs (5th) and Wadena Wildcats (6th) to face the Rosebud Royals (3rd). Stoney Creek and Foam Lake Merchants earned first round byes and await the winners of the 10:00 games with the Braves (2nd) on the Wildcats/Royals side of the draw. The playoffs are a double knockout format finishing Sunday.