Estevan’s softball facility named after longtime volunteer

ESTEVAN – Estevan Minor Softball used the opening ceremony of the U13 B Provincial Championship on Friday to pay tribute to a loyal and passionate volunteer.

The organization’s facility in northwest Estevan will now be known as the Jody Waloshin Softball Diamonds, in honor of Waloshin, who dedicated more than 15 years of his life to the sport. The crowd, made up of locals and individuals from across the province, gave Waloshin a thunderous applause when Softball Saskatchewan executive director Guy Jacobson made the announcement.

Jacobson noted Waloshin’s many contributions to the sport in the Estevan area. Waloshin is a two-time provincial champion coach and was recognized as the 2021 Softball Saskatchewan Coach of the Year. During his 15 years on the Estevan Minor Softball board, Waloshin has done most of the organizing for teams and leagues and has been a leader in the development of Estevan’s softball program.

“(Jody has) been a great support and mentor to many coaches and many board members involved with Estevan Minor Softball,” Jacobson said. “In addition, I know from talking with Jody and others today that he has put in thousands of volunteer hours to maintain and improve these diamonds — including the buildings, dugouts and hangars — and renovations to the cafeteria.”

He has been the District 1 director for Softball Saskatchewan for several years and does a fantastic job as a volunteer on the board, Jacobson said.

“It’s a big commitment to be in Estevan and have meetings in Saskatoon and Regina, plus we meet five or six times a year,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson noted that Estevan Minor Softball is pleased to have several volunteers who help keep score, maintain the grounds and run the concession stand, among other tasks.

Waloshin said he had no idea this recognition was coming and was “overwhelmed” and “very grateful” for the honor.

“I’m not the only one. There have been many more before me, and just to be recognized is amazing,” he said.

Waloshin’s dedication to softball began with his daughters, because he wanted to support what they love to do. When people needed volunteers to help with some maintenance items or coaching, he stepped up, and it turned out to be rewarding, he said.

“It’s a little different than baseball, of course, but it’s a great sport, great for everyone,” Waloshin said.

He expects to remain involved in the sport. Waloshin said he still has many projects he is working on on the diamonds, and he will continue to help with coach mentoring and player development.

Estevan Minor Softball also paid tribute to its past when it named Diamond 5 after Don Schroeder and Diamond 6 after Earl Minchin. President Wade St. Onge said the two put in “hundreds” of volunteer hours to create the diamonds.

“It’s just high time that we recognize our builders and the people who came before us and who we build on. Without them, we wouldn’t have this,” St. Onge said.

Minchin coached home and provincial ball from 1990 to 1999 and was the head coach of the U12 provincial team that won the 1994 Provincial B championship – Estevan’s first provincial title since the 1970s. He also refereed on nights he was not coaching and officiated for a number of years after he retired from coaching, mostly on a volunteer basis; if teams insisted on paying him, he charged a fee of $5 per game.

Minchin also spent countless hours maintaining the baseball fields, including raking, mowing grass, maintaining dugouts, making repairs and more. He also took on the role of equipment manager and overhauled the system, often storing equipment at his home.

Schroeder was the longest-tenured volunteer in Estevan Minor Softball history, beginning as a coach in the 1980s and ending as an umpire in the 2010s, completing 30 years of service. As a coach, Schroeder pioneered the practice of indoor winter training, which led to numerous championship teams on the various teams his three daughters played on.

When the grounds were expanded, he was the main volunteer who got Diamonds 4, 5 and 6 going. When he wasn’t coaching or doing grounds maintenance, he helped out in some way, as a referee, scorekeeper or otherwise.

Schroeder’s daughter Jacinta and Minchin’s daughter Amanda participated in the tournament’s ceremonial opening ceremony.