Today was supposed to be opening day for the Orillia Slo-Pitch League, and although there will be no games played due to the pandemic-related closure of local diamonds, many are missing the game.
Steve Hamilton, who plays for the Lumberjacks in Men’s A division, started a virtual game of catch with players on the league's Facebook page by posting a video of him playing catch with his family at home. He encouraged other players to do the same to keep the chain moving.
“We are all stuck in our homes and we can’t actually get out to play, so why not try to keep the slo-pitch community in touch with each other on a positive note,” Hamilton said.
“I thought it was something light-hearted to keep everyone relaxed during a time where our hobbies are being messed up.”
If the slo-pitch league cancels the season this year, Hamilton’s summer will be very different than usual. Last year, he played five to six nights a week and coached his daughter on Sundays.
“Slo-pitch is a huge part of my life. It’s actually how I met my wife, so without it, things would really change for me.”
Hamilton is staying cautiously optimistic that there will eventually be a slo-pitch season, but he’s not banking on it.
Christie Whetham is also keeping the slo-pitch spirit alive as she wears a baseball-themed face mask to work every day at Birchmere Retirement Residence where she is a dietary aide.
Whetham has been playing for Tryon Construction in the Ladies A division for the past 24 years.
“My bosses at work got the masks made and they got mine done in baseballs because it’s my life and has been ever since I was six years old,” Whetham explained.
A summer without slo-pitch would be frustrating for Whetham as she spends at least three to four nights of her week at the diamond during the summer months, playing with her sister and niece.
However, even if there is a slo-pitch season, Whetham might not participate.
“Especially because of my line of work and because my mother has a compromised immune system, I don’t even know if I would play. It’s a tough call,” Whetham explained.
Although Whetham has a love for the game of slo-pitch, she sees the bigger picture of today's world living in a pandemic.
“Baseball is always going to be there, but our elderly and our loved ones are who we need to be thinking about right now,” she said.
Orillia Slo-Pitch League president Mike Borrelli says he and his executives will wait until the middle of June to make a final decision, but admits that it doesn’t look likely that there will be a season. Diamonds have been closed until July 5.
However, if things take a turn for the better, if the province allows larger gatherings of people and the City of Orillia removes bans on their diamonds, Borelli is ready to get back to work.
“Once we come to the middle of June we will put out a flyer to see how many teams are still interested, and we will make a reduced schedule if we have enough time to get maybe 8 to 10 games in per team,” Borrelli said.
Borrelli says even if the season gets cancelled, he is still hopeful he can eventually organize tournaments for local players. He currently has diamonds booked for July 18 and Aug. 8 and would consider adding more tournament dates if the city re-opens diamonds at some point this summer.
“People need it, they are itching and we have to get back on our feet,” Borrelli said.
Staff from the city's Parks, Recreation and Culture Department have already been in contact with Borrelli to ask what safety protocols would be in place if players returned to the diamond this summer.
“I think we will be more conservative than not, we will implement extreme safety guidelines to keep our players safe,” Borrelli said.
Borrelli and his executives expect to be provided with more information in the next couple of weeks that will help them further judge the likelihood of a slo-pitch season this summer.
