Senior baseball is back in full swing for the 2021 season, as the Canora Supers will be out to defend their 2019 Southeast Senior Baseball League championship. The first step will be the home opener on June 14 versus the visiting Parkland Pirates, according to Greg Andreychuk, player coach. “After the 2020 season was lost due to COVID-19, the Supers and the rest of the league are itching to get back on the diamonds in the Parkland,” said Andreychuk.
With preseason workouts well underway, the Supers are enjoying the improvements made to their home diamond, Al Sapieha field.
“The diamond is featuring a new mound, batters box, and a grass infield with irrigation,” detailed Andreychuk. “The days of unpredictable hops on ground balls will be a thing of the past. A big thank you goes out to the Town of Canora, director of leisure services Aaron Herriges and staff for the hard work and dedication to the project.”
“The playing field is maturing and filling out this spring,” added Herriges. “The new infield grass is blending well into the outfield. We are excited to have our first game being played there. I’m sure it will draw a lot of interest to see live sports in Town again.”
The league unfortunately will be losing a few teams, according to Andreychuk. The Willowbrook Royals, Back Forty Brewers, Parkland Padres, and Yorkton Orioles will all be taking a one year leave of absence. The two remaining Manitoba teams are not allowed to cross over the border due to restrictions, so the Roblin Stars and Grandview Lakers will be taking the year off, but not be penalized a year’s leave due to not having any control in their situation. There is hope that some teams can return for the 2022 season.
“For 2021, the league welcomed two new teams, the Yorkton Marlins and the Yorkton 18U Cardinals,” reported Andreychuk. “The Supers, Parkland Pirates, and Langenburg Legends will all be back. The Cardinals will play each team once, and not qualify for playoffs. The rest of the teams will play each other three times, for a ten-game season. The regular season begins June 14, and will end approximately July 15. Playoffs will begin shortly after the end of the regular season.”
The Supers will return the majority of their championship squad from 2019, but with a few additions and subtractions. Colby Parachoniak, Logan Parachoniak, Jordan Evans, Tanner Melnychuk, and Brogan Legebokoff have departed from the Supers to join the Marlins. New faces to the Supers this season will include former Willowbrook Royals pitcher/infielder Greg Pelechaty, and former Melville Bison and Yorkton Oriole power-hitting infielder Jason Waldbauer.
Andreychuk and the Supers are pleased to welcome the following players for the coming season:
Kody Rock, pitcher/infield: “Aside from being the ace of the pitching staff, the Canora resident will be a fixture near the top of the order, and in the infield. He is the straw that stirs the drink. He hits for power, average, steals bases, and dominates on the hill. He can do it all.”
Sean Kolodziejski, catcher/infield/outfield: “The Hyas resident will bat near the top of the order and provide solid defence behind the dish. He was a key table setter in previous seasons for the potent power-hitting bats behind him, and will be counted on for much the same. He will get plenty of stolen bases, and can also play infield and outfield if necessary.”
Zach Rakochy, catcher/utility: “After a two-season hiatus, Rakochy will make his return. The Canora resident’s speed and potent bat was known throughout the league from 2011 to 2017, and will continue in 2021. When not catching he can play anywhere except pitcher, so his versatility will be key to the defence.”
Dylan Toffan, infield/pitcher: “Toffan’s availability will be limited, but hopefully he can make enough games to qualify for playoffs. The local Canora boy has a steady bat, and can play most positions in the field, and can pitch. When available he adds another dimension to the team.”
Travis Mentanko, infield: “Another local player, Travis will be counted on for more power hitting and RBI (runs batted in) from the number three spot in the order. His availability is generally limited in the regular season, but come playoff time he is expected to be in full swing. We look forward to another big season.”
Kholton Shewchuk, infield/pitcher: “Shewchuk, of Rama, will be back to patrol third base and drive in runs in the middle of the order. He is reliable as it gets, and his production is nearly unmatched throughout the league. He will also be counted on to throw some key innings on the mound.”
Ian Quewezance, shortstop: “A Kamsack resident, Quewezance is another slick fielding, big bat in the middle of the order. He will continue to hit for a high average and make dandy plays from shortstop.”
Evan Rostotski, outfield: “The man known as "Rook,” a Norquay resident, will be back to play some steady outfield and contribute a consistent bat. He has been a mainstay for over a decade, and continues to be very reliable.”
Derek Palagian, outfield/pitcher: “Palagian comes to the Supers from Hudson Bay, and has been with the team since 2004, pitching the most innings in that time period. At 38, he still has the consistent pitches to keep batters off balance, and provides steady outfield defence and a good bat.”
Darcy Blommaert, outfield/pitcher: “A member of the Supers since 1999, Darcy just keeps coming back for more. The Yorkton resident has lost a few miles per hour off the fastball, but this crafty lefty still gets the job done on the mound. He should continue to do the same in 2021.”
Phil Sobkow, outfield/infield: “Representing the village of Calder, Sobkow has been our cleanup hitter for the majority of his Supers career. He will continue to bring some power from the middle of the order, and solid defence where needed.”
Jayden Heskin, pitcher/infield: “Heskin will add depth to the strong roster. After finishing his 18U career with the Canora Reds in 2019, the Norquay resident is eager to continue playing with the big club. He has a good arm and with a little fine tuning can turn into a solid pitcher.”
Jorden Cherewyk, outfield: “Cherewyk comes to the Supers from Yorkton via Norquay, and returns for his third season in the outfield. He has good speed and a strong arm, and an infectious team-first attitude.”
Andreychuk has been in charge of the Supers as player and coach since 2011. He can still play in the outfield when necessary, but said he will “spend a bit more time coaching third base and from the dugout than in years past.” He has been a Super since the 1999 Championship season.
Andreychuk said COVID guidelines/restrictions will be in place at all SESBL games.
“Restrictions in place at outdoor sporting events include capacity of 150 or less, with spectators to be social distanced unless they are from the same household. Hand sanitizer to be provided at the facility. Equipment such as bats, helmets and catchers gear is to be sanitized if shared. But there is no sharing of water bottles. Contact tracing is to be done by the home team for players, coaches, officials.”
The Supers will have a deep lineup once again, and are itching to win another league title.
“It's tough to get to the top of the mountain, and tougher to stay there as everyone will be gunning for us. We look forward to the challenge, but more importantly look forward to getting back to normal,” concluded Andreychuk.
