Organization Preview: Lloydminster Liners
/ GPLS.ca | 12:40
We finish off our preseason previews with a trip east to Lloydminster to talk with the new program entering only its second year after a big merger.
Organization Preview: Lloydminster Liners
In the final months of 2015, Lloydminster’s two softball organizations, the Rebels and Blues, made an announcement that they were coming together under one banner, creating what is now the Lloydminster Amateur Softball Association (LASA), while their team name, the Liners, paid homage to teams in the past.
It streamlined the process in which softball is played in Lloydminster, putting the focus back towards the players and less on politics. And with growing numbers of players coming up through their program, it was the perfect time to unite as one organization, rather than competing for the same pool of players.
“That will probably be the shining moment of ball for us in Lloydminster,” said LASA president Pam Minish. “Just being able to put differences aside and really think of just the kids, really. We were able to make it work and get both the organizations together.”
Already the Liners and LASA are seeing the results of coming together. With 12 teams and more than 250 players, the Liners have a full plate of teams, including enough players for three U12 teams and two U16 teams.
Considering in the 2015 off-season that neither the Blues or Rebels had enough players to field U16 teams, the united Liners U16 team were the best in the province last season, earning a provincial championship, as well as just barely missing out on a top five finish at nationals.
With only one organization in the city, Minish said they can focus on the player’s skills throughout the entire year, rather than focusing their attention on recruiting and retaining players.
“We all came together and for our first season we had a great year,” said Minish. “We’re excited how our merger came together. One thing we have shown is that it can work. It’s all about the kids and sometimes, we as parents, forget that. This year is hands down going to be that much easier for us.”
Merging the two organizations created some challenges of outfitting everyone with Liners gear and ensuring a smooth transfer to a united organization. Minish said coming from the Blues, it was important they maintained their grassroots system in order to ensure the growth of the sport, and already they have 25 to 30 more players in their city league teams heading into the new season.
With no recruiting or worries of players signing with the other organization, it has allowed the Liners to focus all of their attention on the diamond, and heading into the new Girls Prairie League Softball season, expectations remain high, however, the focus is still on just making sure the players are getting better each day.
“We can focus on coaching development and those sorts of things and really help those kids become better players,” said Minish. “We don’t have to worry about the politics behind the scenes. The goals for their teams is to just keep going in the direction we are going. It would be great to have them all at a highly competitive level.”
Along with the announcement of the merger back in 2015, the LASA also announced they will be hosting the U18 Women’s Canadian Championships. It’s not new for the U18 teams to make nationals in Lloydminster, but it will be the first time for many to see the scale of the event, including Minish, who is excited for the LASA to play hosts, highlighting to their younger generation of players the calibre of softball available.
And while there is plenty of coordination that go into hosting an event of this size, like their merger, the LASA is ready to put the work in to make it an event that will be talked about for years to come.
“We’re so excited to be able to host this,” said Minish. “We’re excited for our younger girls to be able to see this. It’s something I myself haven’t experienced. Just the entire organization is excited and ready to put the work in.”
Check out our other organization previews:
