Convener’s Message

On behalf of the organizing committee for the 2008 MHSAA Fastpitch Provincials, I would like to welcome all athletes, coaches, and parents to the Swan River Valley.

The friendships and memories developed through the MHSAA atmosphere are ones that will last you a lifetime.  Athletics teach many of the disciplines required in life as well as the passion for sport and recreation that you can carry forever.  These Provincials are a venue to display all of the attributes you have developed through your years of participation.  Please take the time to thank your coaches and family, without whom, this experience may not have been possible.

I would also like to recognize the many volunteers and corporate sponsors of the 2008 MHSAA Provincial Fastpitch Championships.  Without you an event of this magnitude would not be possible.  Your dedication and contributions to such events in our Valley are endless and we thank you sincerely.

Have a great weekend of competition!

Good Luck and Good Sportsmanship

Paula Norman

Convener 2008 MHSAA Fastpitch Provincials

Mayor's Message

On behalf of the Town of Swan River I would like to welcome all visitors and participants to the 2008 MHSAA Provincial Fastpitch Tournament. I would like to commend the organizing committee for their time and effort in organizing this event, and the corporate sponsors for their contributions. Have fun and enjoy the tournament.

Glen McKenzie

Mayor

Principal's Message

“A League of Their Own”

“A League of Their Own” is the theme of the 2008 MHSAA Provincial Fastpitch Championship.  The year 2008 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Town of Swan River.  Towns that are 100 years or older on the prairies certainly are in “A League of Their Own”. That was the main reason for hosting the 2008 MHSAA Provincial Fastball Championship.  The theme is about history and women’s softball certainly has a rich history. 

The theme was the title of a movie “A League of Their Own”, which paid tribute the women softball players who played in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.  The league began in 1943 as a softball league and emerged in a baseball league which ended in 1954.  Female players from Canada, USA and Cuba played in this league.  Saskatchewan contributed the largest number of players from Canada with Manitoba having a significant contingent.

The Manitoba players included:Doris Barr, Eleanor Callow, Audrey Audie ‘Haines Daniels, Ruth Middelton Gentry, Dorothy, Hunter Dorothy Ferguson Key, Olive Bend Little, Evelyn Wawryshyn Moroz, Joan Schatz, Yolande Teillet Schick, Mary Kustra Shastal, and Doris Shero Witiuk.  All the women of that league have been inducted into the Baseball hall of Fame as well as the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame and the Softball Hall of Fame.
Also “A League of Their Own” was the 1996 Canadian Olympic Team which played in Atlanta, Georgia where softball was a first ever Olympic sport.  Canada placed a respectable 5th. Manitobans Juanita Clayton and Karen Doell were members of that first Olympic team and have had outstanding careers, being inducted into the Softball hall of Fame and the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. These outstanding athletes are certainly in “A League of Their Own”.
In 1996 Swan Valley Regional Secondary School last hosted the MHSAA provincial Fastpitch Championship.  The Swan Valley Tigers won the championship and became the first female team to win a provincial crown in any sport in the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School’s history.  That team certainly is in “A League of Their Own” as that distinction still stands.

That championship marked the last year that there was a men’s MHSAA Championship.
Since 1996 only women participated in the MHSAA Provincial Championship, and are certainly in “A League of Their Own”.   A special welcome to the 2008 Championship, “A League of Their Own”.  A special welcome to our special guest, Karen Doell, a Hall of Famer in a "A League of Her Own".

Henry Barkowski,

Principal