Slo-pitch season just around the corner

East Kildonan

With the snow all but gone and parks and ball diamonds slowly drying, it’ll soon be softball season. Kent Kamenz, Manitoba regional director of Slo-Pitch National, and his staff are hard at work organizing a host of tournaments and provincial championships that will keep local ballplayers busy well into fall.

Kamenz said more than 700 teams are registered for a variety of leagues across Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. There are men’s, women’s, co-ed and seniors’ divisions, which, according to a recent letter from SPN, can begin at 35 and older. (That means I’ve qualified as a senior for more than 20 years. Thanks, Kent!)

Several weekends of the season will feature fundraising tournaments for a variety of charities. Hittin’ for Hooters and Duders, a fundraiser held in conjunction with the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, is scheduled for June 20 at Little Mountain Sportsplex. All funds raised go to breast and prostate cancer initiatives right here in Manitoba.

SPN also teams up with Make a Wish Canada’s Manitoba/Nunavut region and radio station QX-104 for the Slo-Pitch for a Wish event on Sept. 12 at Little Mountain Sportsplex. This will be a great way to wind down the ball season. In addition to the games, there is a concert, celebrity game, vendor market and auctions. The 2025 event raised more than $70,000.

Rumour has it Santa Claus is coming to town for SPN Manitoba’s Swing for the Kids tourney on July 11 at Buhler Recreation Park. The theme is Christmas in July, so expect plenty of music, team costumes and a silent auction. Registration is $325, with four games guaranteed. Email spnmanitoba@gmail.com to book your spot. All proceeds support the Dream Factory, a local charity that provides unforgettable experiences for children battling life-threatening illnesses.

The provincial championships will offer chances for teams of all skill levels to compete for titles. The men’s and women’s championships will run July 18-19 at Buhler Recreation Park, while the co-ed championships are on Sept. 5-6 at Little Mountain Sportsplex. Kamenz said co-ed remains popular, with four separate divisions including a Fun Division.

Slo-Pitch National has added a new feature for 2026. The SPN Manitoba All-Access Pass allows players to upgrade their memberships to earn rewards, discounts and entries into exclusive contests. Look for new offers from local and national companies, along with upgraded injury coverage. Visit the SPN Manitoba website.

Register your team for tournaments at www.slo-pitch.com under Slo-Pitch National Manitoba’s tournaments page.