The Saskatoon Midget Black Sox Selects won the U19 Open Men’s Provincial Fastball Championship July 23-25 at Joe Gallagher Field in Saskatoon.
The team included seven players from several communities outside Saskatoon, including: Davis Laskowski and Jaxson Manson-Parenteau of Warman, Justice Montgrand of Martensville, Jacob Straker of Vanscoy, Tom Norris of Delisle, Coen Bear of South Corman Park and Carter Mason of Perdue. Saskatoon players included Hunter Froese, Matthew Paquette, Eric Slusar, and David Angelique. The team was coached by Randy Slusar of Saskatoon along with Syd and Marla Laskowski of Warman.
The Selects won gold after beating Shellbrook 12-5 July 23 at 8:30 p.m, Saskatoon West Selects 17-6 July 24 at 2:30 p. m., and Wadena 9-2 July 24 at 8:30 p.m., all in round robin play.
This sent the Black Sox Selects straight to the final. Wadena beat Shellbrook 6-4 on July 25 in the semi-final to play the Black Sox Selects in the final later that day at 4:30 p.m.
The Selects jumped out to an early lead and by the 5th inning it was 7-1 Selects. Wadena came back with a couple runs, but the Selects finished it off beating Wadena 8-4 to win gold.
The Black Sox Selects were all first year players in this U19 Midget Division and the youngest team in the four- team provincial championship tournament.
Unfortunately, due to COVID there are no national championships this year, so the team is not able to carry the provincial colours to the bigger stage.