Mixed softball looking for more players

The Kahnawake Mixed Softball League (KMSL) may be down to four teams and one game night per week this season, but league commissioner Ryan Montour thinks the games and atmosphere are getting fun again after years of very competitive play.

“We are definitely in the process of trying to make it not too competitive, more of a friendlier atmosphere,” said Montour.

“We’re encouraging other community members to come out. Some are intimidated because at one point it did get highly competitive. I think that really dissuaded a lot of community members. We’ve made adjustments to make it more fun.”

Those adjustments include a line in the outfield that fielders cannot cross until the ball is put into play when women go up to bat, to try and engineer more hits.

Most of all, though, Montour is hoping more people will give it a shot, as one of the options for adults looking to stay active.

“There are a lot of benefits just by being a team member, like meeting new people, and I still believe it’s awesome. There is still a rabid fanbase that watches anything, they’ll never stop doing that,” said Montour.

“If you want to play, you will play. We encourage rookies, people that have never played to pick up the sport.”

Montour said that part of the reasons behind their issues retaining players has also been the growth of other sports in the community - youth sports that take time away from parents who would play, and adult sports competing for time during the week.

The four teams - the defending champion Rezbirds, the Boyz, the Demons, and the now merged CMC/Yanks team - play exclusively on Wednesday nights, with the first game at 6 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m.

CMC and the Yanks merged to make sure there would be enough players to consistently play without having to forfeit. Still, there have been three forfeits so far this season already after four weeks of play.

“That’s an average of one a week. It’s not good,” said Montour.

Although they are facing attendance issues from players, Montour said that there has not been any thought on folding the league. Instead, they will continue on, playing in front of the loyal fans that come every Wednesday to the field by the hospital to watch them compete for a championship.

“The fans are still there. The fans look forward to watching softball every week, so they definitely want to continue that experience,” said Montour.

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