Rivard throwing strikes for Snakes
Corey Atkinson
Today staff
In his job as director of baseball development, professional pitcher Reggie Rivard has been telling the young players in Fort McMurray minor baseball the finer points of the game, and how to play the game like a professional
Now that he has rejoined the Golden Baseball League's Calgary Vipers, Rivard can show them first hand every six days.
Rivard will appear for his stars and continue to pitch regularly for the Snakes as he still mentors the Fort McMurray Minor Baseball association teams.
"The only reason I did come down is they allowed me the freedom to take off in between starts and still see the kids from Fort Mac playing on the weekends," said the Edmonton-born Rivard, who has fashioned a 10-year minor league baseball career after starting at Washington State.
"Last weekend, I started Saturday and Sunday I was in Stony Plain watching provincials," he said. "I start Friday against Edmonton and then I'll be with the bantam team for provincials down in Taber. They've just made it very easy for me to say yes."
Rivard's first start made it very easy for them to justify his return to the mound after taking the first part of 2010 to focus solely on coaching.
He pitched six innings against the Tijuana Cimarrones, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven of the 21 batters he faced and allowed zero runs. Rivard was more than happy with his outing.
"I felt really good and I felt comfortable," Rivard said. "We've got a veteran catcher (Luis Taveras) with a lot of triple-A time and he's in his mid-to-late 30s. We're on the same page and throwing strikes. It felt great. It felt good to be able to compete again.
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"This was the first time in 25 years I wasn't on the field as a player in May and June so it was kind of a shock to the system."
Of all the teams to play, Tijuana was probably the team to play. They are dead last in the Golden League with a 6-43 record over the two halves of the season.
"Yeah, they're not the strongest team, so to get the feet wet against them and get ready for Edmonton was good," Rivard said.
He expects to get about seven or eight starts if healthy. And he is feeling good after the first start.
"I feel like I'm in as good of shape as I've been in a long time," Rivard said. "I'm actually 20 pounds lighter than I was this time last year, and I feel great."
The Edmonton Capitals, Rivard's next opponent for his next two starts, are on a tear, winning 17 of their last 18 games going into Wednesday's action. The Snakes aren't that far behind them, going 6-1 in the second half of the season.
The winners of the two halves of both the North and South divisions will play each other in the Golden League's playoff.
"We've won six in a row," Rivard said. "When the second half starts, everybody starts off fresh. They're definitely the team to beat. They didn't win the first half either, so whoever wins the second half is going to get into that playoff. It's going to be a battle, no doubt about it. They're a really strong team so we're going to have to step up and play some solid baseball in order to beat them."
corey.atkinson@fortmcmurraytoday.com
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Subject: TWIB
I would just like to start out by Congratulating our Mosquito and Bantam Competitive
Team on the great job they did last weekend playing host our out of town guests.
I had the pleasure to attend the entire weekend and I was very proud of the
hospitality and true sportsmanship both teams displayed. In addition, I would like
to offer a special thank you to all our volunteers that worked the canteen, BBQ and
took care of the fields during the weekend. You all did a fabulous job and truly
showcased the warm, welcoming and true sprit of our community.
Not only did we do a great job off the fields, both our teams had a great weekend on
the field.
Our young Mosquito proved once again that they are a team not to be underestimated
as they battled hard in some very close and exciting games and ended the weekend
with a very successful 2-1-1 record .Great Job team!
The Bantam Braves proved to be equally impressive on the field and provided some
very exciting games that were very well attended .The Braves went 2-2 for the
weekend while improving their record on the year to a very impressive 7 and 3. Way
to go Braves!
It was truly a pleasure to see our young teams playing ball at home in front of
their family and friends against very talented opponents from around the province .I
am sure it was just as wonderful for the parents , grandparents , aunts and uncles
and friends to see the young players on the field at Ron Morgan Park.
Also at the Ron Morgan Park was the Rookie Mid Season Tournament and WOW what an
impressive group of young ball players we have in this division. Despite the cold,
the kids battled hard and had lots of fun. I was so impressed by the enthusiasm,
sportsmanship and energy they displayed and it just made me feel so proud to be a
part of this such a great weekend ! Eventually, after many close exciting games, the
Giants came out on top after a very exciting final against the Yankees.
Congratulation to all the kids, you are ALL WINNERS! Very Special Thank you to Kevin
and Danyell Breen and all the Coaches and Parents for making this a Great Mid Season
Tournament!
This Week :
Our Midgets AAA Braves will be playing host to the Foothill Reds from Okotoks for 3
games Starting with a Double Hitter Saturday at Ron Morgan Park. Games start at 3 &
6 and again Sunday Morning at 10 am. Be sure to come out and support your Local
Braves.
All other Competitive Teams have the weekend off, but return the next weekend with
our Pee wee Competitive team playing host Slave Lake and Sherwood Park at Ron Morgan
Park.
House League Action:
We continue with our Mid season Tournaments for our Mosquito, Pee wee and Bantam
Divisions. As well Rally Cap Days will be played June 4 &5th. Please check our
In addition, I would like to congratulate all of our Umpires as they continue to do
a great job and allow our parents to enjoy watching their children play the game.
Keep it up !
It is going to be another very busy and exciting week for Minor Baseball in Fort
McMurray! Come and check out the action and support our young talented local
Athletes.
I would like to say a thank you to all our Volunteers, Coaches, Team Managers,
Parents, Local Partners and our Title Partner Syncrude Canada for all your Support
as we strive to create an Exceptional Experience in which EVERY ONE PLAYES .Without
you none of this is possible.
As well Thank You to the Board of Directors of FMMBA, Reggie Rivard ,Executive
Director of Player Development and Gaby Rivard , Administrative Assistant, your
countless hours and dedication to the youth of our community is inspiring and truly
appreciated!
Cheers
Paul McWilliams
President
FMMBA
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Good Day,
This upcoming weekend FMMBA will play host to 4 teams from Alberta. Our Bantam AA competitive team will host South Jasper Park and Camrose, while our Mosquito AA competitive team will welcome teams from St. Albert and Fort Saskatchewan. All games will be played at Ron Morgan Park in Thickwood starting Saturday, please SEE ATTACHED SCHEDULE.
Both Teams have performed exceptionally well in their respective league this year. Our Mosquito team has 3 wins and 3 losses going into the weekend and are sitting tied for 4th place out of a 17 team league. The Bantams are heading into the weekend tied for 2nd place out of 21 teams in the province with a 5 and 1 record.
Traditionally our young players are required to travel very long distances every weekend from May to end of June to play teams from outside Fort McMurray and seldom do they have the opportunity to play at home in front of their families and friends. Your support in getting the word out to the residence of Fort McMurray is greatly appreciated.
In other Rep Team action our Performance Pee Wee AAA Braves travel to Spruce Grove for 3 games this weekend and our Midget AAA Braves are in Calgary for a 3 game set against the Calgary Cubs.
House league action is heating up as our young players continue to improve their skills and make new friends in the process. All divisions from T-Ball to Bantam have experienced strong growth this year, proving that Baseball is continuing to thrive in Fort McMurray. This week will be the start of Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Mid season Tournaments. This is an Annual event in which over the course of the next two weeks teams from every division in Fort McMurray will celebrate the game of Baseball through a series of games that are designed to develop skill, passion and friendship. Please check out our website @ fmmba.ca for more information and schedule for game times.
It has been a busy start to the season and I want to say a very special thank you to all of our Volunteers, Board of Directors and Sponsors, including our Title Sponsor Syncrude Canada for all your dedication, hard work and support in helping us to continue with our mission of creating an EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE in which EVERYONE PLAYS.
I hope to see you all at the field this summer!
Regards,
Paul McWilliams
President of FMMBA
Schedule May 29th-30th