Softball season in full swing
Softball is an occasion to do a fun activity as a family, as is the case for Boyz players Jayme Ann Bordeau, MJ McComber, and Raven Horn. Courtesy Ryan Montour
The Kahnawake Mixed Softball League (KMSL) is just a couple weeks into its season, and commissioner Ryan Montour thinks the competition is just starting to ramp up.
“The first week is always tough on the players. You have to shake off the winter rust, and they don’t really do spring training,” said Montour.
Although some teams do arrange practice time, the first few games, where you get to see your teammates again and get back into a routine of playing every week, are what help each team get back into a groove as the season gets going.
“I’m hoping that moving in the second part of the season, we get more and more competitive games,” said Montour.
The five same teams as last year - the Rezbirds, Demons, Boyz, Yankees, and Chris Montour Construction (CMC) - will be battling it out for the KMSL championship, with the Rezbirds looking to repeat and win their fourth championship in seven years.
“As defending champs, we know each team wants to bring their best against us. We’ll be ready for the challenge,” said Rezbirds captain Kawisaienton McComber.
“They’re the team to beat, and they just keep winning. Everybody is trying to be like the Rezbirds,” said Montour, who also plays for the Demons on top of his commissioning role.
McComber said that getting to start another softball season and defend their title has been great so far.
“It was nice to get back on the field for the start of a new season. Great to see all my teammates after a long offseason,” said McComber.
To help the teams with player attendance, the league has changed their scheduling from Tuesdays and Wednesdays to Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Montour said that with Hunters practices as well as Tuesday night soccer matches, it was going to prove difficult to have as many players come to every game without the change, especially the women who play soccer.
“We’re hoping this change will make a significant increase in the players who can play every week,” said Montour.
One thing that has helped the teams is the continued influx of younger players, particularly Warhawks baseball players who have aged out of minor baseball but still want to play in the diamond.
This year has seen a marked increase in rookie players compared to years past according to Montour, which has benefitted all teams but particularly the Yankees, who had trouble filling out their roster consistently last year.
The Demons have also seen a nice influx of young players.
“We have a good mixture of old and young, so we always have a full team. We’re ready to look forward to our first ring,” said Montour.
“The Demons are dusting off the play book of old times, and I believe the first page reads bring in the young guns,” said Demons captain Lee Snow on the influx of younger players.
At time of writing, the Boyz sit at 3-1, the Yankees at 2-2, the Rezbirds are 3-0, the Demons are 0-2, and CMC are 0-3. Thursday night, after The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline, the Demons faced off against CMC.
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No matter the team, Montour said a KMSL game is always a nice time at the ballpark for player and fan alike, and everyone is welcome to come and see a game.
