This is about the time of year where FVBL (Fertile Valley Baseball League) action gets going. One year ago on May 20th the Kindersley Cubs opened up their second season with a 16-6 win over the Kindersley Midget Royals. Due to loosening public health orders, senior baseball isn’t completely off the table.

Kindersley has seen its own senior circuit develop over the past few seasons, as a record six Kindersley teams were sharing the diamonds at the Berard and Flanagan complex. The Kindersley Raiders and Kindersley Klippers teams were the only established Kindersley FVBL teams just a few years ago, but have since been joined by the upstart Stallions, Cubs, Mariners, and even Kindersley Minor Baseball’s Midget team. The midgets have been playing in the men’s league for about 5 seasons now, after not having a consistent age appropriate league to play in.

The FVBL made the change to a 2 division format last season, in an effort to separate the two calibers of competition being produced.

A Division

The Stallions and Raiders, along with the Rosetown Angels and Oyen Eagles comprised the leagues A division in 2019. The Raiders and Angels battled each other for years in the FVBL finals prior to league expansion, which in part led to the creation of the Stallions. The Stallions were founded by former Raiders, who recruited past and present west central talent to help spread the competition.

The Stallions would make the FVBL Finals against the Raiders in each of their first two years, only to lose to the parent club. The all Kindersley match-up was great for the town, as the Stallions brilliant marketing reinvigorated baseball passion in the town.

The Oyen Eagles were a great addition to bolster the leagues talent pool, as they engaged in a competitive series with the hungry Stallions all season long. As the clear class of the league for 2019, the Stallions and Eagles met in the finals and provided fans a treat. The Stallions went 3-1 against Oyen in regular season play, and completed the sweep to win the first ever A division championship. Look for this budding rivalry to continue to grow.

B Division

The FVBL B Division opened up the competition for some of the other leagues teams, as the Stallions and Raiders were clearly the class of the league.

The B Division consists of 10 teams. The Kindersley Klippers old timer team, along with the recently created Mariners represent the towns oldest and newest teams. The Mariners are in a similar situation as the Stallions, as a former member of the Cubs and Klippers team began yet another team. The Kindersley Cubs and Kindersley Royals represent the leagues younger bucks.

Other teams in the league feature a mix of fresh and veteran talent. Outlook and Elrose field competitive teams outside of Kindersley, and Elrose actually made the finals but lost to a Kindersley foe.

The Royals 2 team did not make it easy on teams during the playoffs. They were underdogs going in, but used spectacular pitching and speed to sweep and upset the first seeded Cubs in Round 1, after defeating the Klippers in the wildcard game. The Royals lost Game 1 to Elrose in the finals, but came back to win 2 straight and claim the title, an impressive one for sure the high school kids.

These ballplayers will be excited to return, and an all Kindersley tournament has been teased among the teams.