When Tyrel Thorpe and his wife moved back to Langenburg, they were shocked to hear that there was no Senior Baseball team in the area. With the help of a few local baseball enthusiasts, Tyrel was able to start the Langenburg Legends Senior Baseball team that had its first season in 2012. The Langenburg Legends currently play in the competitive Southeast Senior Baseball League (SESBL) in the Yorkton area.
The team has since clutched a Provincial title and won the league. Thorpe mentioned, “One of the Langenburg Legend’s highlights would definitely be hosting and winning the 2016 Senior Tier IV provincial championship and winning the SESBL Title in 2018”.
Every team in the SESBL has a two-year term for league president. Thorpe volunteered to be the league president for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, given that it was Langenburg’s turn to serve as league President.
The Langenburg Legends Senior Baseball team is back in business for the spring season. Consisting commonly of ages 16 and up, the team is ecstatic to be getting back to normal. With a roster of 15 to 18 players, Thorpe is ready to get back to safe play in Phase One of the Reopen Saskatchewan Plan.
Outdoor sports including baseball were originally included in Phase 2 of the Reopen Saskatchewan Plan, so it surprised Thorpe when it was included in the first phase of reopening Saskatchewan that began May 30, 2021.
Sask Baseball communicated well concerning changes that had to be made to play in 2021. The baseball team followed the lead of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Sask Baseball on return-to-play guidelines.
In Spring 2020, due to COVID-19, the Langenburg Legends were unable to complete a season. This year, the program is attempting a shortened season with modified COVID-19 friendly rules. In practice, the team maintains social distancing at all times. “Enhanced cleaning of balls and gear are in place, and no high fives or handshakes during or after games are permitted,” stated Thorpe. Now, umpires have the choice to call the game from behind the pitcher’s mound instead of home plate.
Due to a shortened season, there will be approximately 10 regular-season games. Following those games, baseball playoffs will continue. Sask Baseball has announced they would like to proceed with Provincials, but nothing has been confirmed.
Currently, under the Saskatchewan Health Authority guidelines, outdoor sporting tournaments are not allowed. Usually, the team would participate in a weekend-long provincial tournament. Depending on what the Saskatchewan Health Authority rules and regulations are at the time of provincials, the games may have to be distributed differently.
The team has since sprung into action! The town is buzzing with the news of coming to watch an outdoor sporting event. Langenburg is ecstatic to have the Legends Senior Baseball team back and ready to play.