Despite Consecutive Losses Moose Jaw Team Still Upbeat And In The Running
Text and Photos by Robert Thomas
REGINA, SASK - Friday evening saw the Moose Jaw Little League AAA Major Allstars, who represent the Prairies, face Alberta in the 2023 Canadian Little League Championships in Regina.
Despite their best efforts the Moose Jaw team fell 17 - 4 against the Rocky Mountain House team representing Alberta.
It’s the second loss for Moose Jaw who lost to Quebec on Thursday 14 - 0.
Moose Jaw’s scheduled first game in the tournament on Tuesday was postponed due to lightning.
A MOOSE JAW PLAYER IS SAFE AS HE JUST GETS BACK TO FIRST BASE AFTER AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO THROW HIM OUT AS HE WAS TAKING A BIG LEAD - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
Despite the pair of losses Moose Jaw’s coach Scott Nielsen said he saw a bright side in his team’s play.
Defensively the team is struggling - something they excelled at in their run to make the Canadian champions for a second year in a row.
Moose Jaw gave up walks that with the bases loaded for Alberta resulted in runs easily scored as well as costly hits.
On the offensive side Moose Jaw started to see signs of fire with players finally starting to get more hits.
MOOSE JAW SITTING INSIDE THE DUGOUT WHILE ALBERTA IS AT BAT. - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
“The thing I like to say is even when we’re down MOOSE JAW SITTING INSIDE THE DUGOUT WHILE ALBERTA IS AT BAT. - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
“The thing I like to say is even when we’re down we are still in the game. The kids really don’t give up when we are at bat,” Coach Nielsen said.
While at bat Moose Jaw managed to get hits and players on base but unfortunately we’re not able to get those runners across home plate to score.
The players, despite trailing against Alberta throughout the entire game, still continued to come out and play hard on the offensive side of the game.
“We are a young team and mistakes are going to happen. That is what I told them. We need to remember to forget about it, and move past it,” he said.we are still in the game. The kids really don’t give up when we are at bat,” Coach Nielsen said.
While at bat Moose Jaw managed to get hits and players on base but unfortunately we’re not able to get those runners across home plate to score.
The players, despite trailing against Alberta throughout the entire game, still continued to come out and play hard on the offensive side of the game.
“We are a young team and mistakes are going to happen. That is what I told them. We need to remember to forget about it, and move past it,” he said.
A MOOSE JAW PLAYER SLIDES IN TO SCORE A RUN - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
Moose Jaw does have an age and experience deficit when compared to other teams at the tournament.
The ages for the tournament are 11 and 12 years old depending on your birthdate, you could be a 13-year-old and playing in the tournament.
For Moose Jaw the youngest player is 10 years old while the oldest players are 12 years of age. A couple of the players are set to turn 13 after the tournament ends.
While some of the teams in the tournament have the allowed 13-year-olds who are taller and stronger players on their teams.
A MOOSE JAW PITCHER HAS A BRIEF CHAT WITH THE COACH. IN TOTAL THE TEAM WOULD USE SIX PITCHERS IN THE GAME - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
Nielsen said though he can see the team improving as the tournament continues.
“That (lack of experience) is our biggest struggle right now but it’s going to turn around. We’re going to have some good games,” he said, adding “I have no doubt about it. We are always up and down.”
Despite the disappointing start he said that the team has been successful overall this season.
“We are here (playing at the tournament) and this is our goal. As long as they are competing that is what we are looking for.”
The composition of the Moose Jaw team is about 50 percent who played in the Canadian Little League Finals last year and 50 percent who have never played in the tournament before.
ONE OF MOOSE JAW’S PITCHERS PUTS EVERYTHING INTO HIS STANDING ON THE MOUND - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
Nielsen said that one of the big things from the game against Alberta is that the team is finally hitting the ball.
“Even though the score says that we had a lot of hard balls today. So it’s encouraging so hopefully that continues and we can reign in the defence.”
“We are young and they’re going to learn a lot this weekend… we have four more games and that’s only two (games). We aren’t the only team in this situation,” he said.
The tournament is a round robin format meaning that the seven teams play each other team in the tournament once. The top four teams advance to the playoff rounds.
A MOOSE JAW BASE RUNNER SCORES ANOTHER RUN - MJ INDEPENDENT PHOTO
Moose Jaw is scheduled to play at 10:30 AM today against Team Atlantic.
On Sunday at 10:30 AM they will face the Team from British Columbia.
With the long weekend play wrapping up for Moose Jaw when they face the host team North Regina Little League on Monday at 2 PM.
All games are free to attend.