Page 5 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 9

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Optimist Minor Softball Featured Player:

John Borden

a veteran player, John knows the the players re-count the stories
Monique Sauvé Roy, Co-President,
Cornwall Optimist Softball game and he is an asset on any about softball to their friends and
team he plays on. Rarely does how they’re still laughing about it
ohn Borden has been playing John miss a game, showing true months and even years later. Of
Jsoftball since 2002 and is one of commitment. His team can always course, there’s lots of camaderie at
the league’s veteran players. John count on him! the Bantam level, as many of the

started as a five-year old, playing players have known each other for
the game at St. Theresa’s Park. He John is known as an awesome over five years and in John’s case,

catcher and, somehow, always
had originally tried soccer at the over 10 years. There’s a common
age of four, but after watching his ends up playing in that position bond on the field and it’s evident at

where he displays his leadership
older brother Joshua play softball this level of play.
for many years, he decided on qualities by taking the time to help
coach his teammates in positional We commend John for
softball as his game of choice.
During his spare time, John plays play and responsive readiness. participating in our softball league
other sports such as basketball and As a recreational league, Optimist and especially for making it so
street hockey. Minor Softball likes to recognize much fun for everyone around
veteran players like John who are him.
Anyone who knows John

realizes first hand that he is very ready to help out the new player For more details about
or perhaps guide a player with less our softball season visit While John usually plays catcher,
passionate about the game and he is an asset anywhere on the
gives it his all at every game. As experience. At the Bantam level www.cornwalloptimistsoftball.ca field. Submitted photo.

Well, looks like my source was correct

By Richard Waldroff
The change regarding checking that I suggested would be taking place has occurred with the recent
vote at the Hockey Canada AGM. I am picking up pros and cons on the issue, with most of the focus
on the safety aspect of the game. I have seen some of the statistics about the occurrences of medical
injury and concussion. The numbers are very strong supporting the action which has taken place. Our
neighbours all around us have gone in this direction, so when you leave the local area regardless where
you go, USA, Ontario or Quebec similar standards will apply. The differences will be, as with all rules,
in INTERPRETATION and APPLICATION. As is the case with all sports what is or is not permitted at
home will not necessarily apply away.
I see this change as just that: a change. It was voted on without any offer of how it will all work, what will
be the impact on the game and most importantly the players in the future. Again, it would appear to be a
knee jerk reaction to outside pressures, or was it a situation such as “we have discussed it long enough,
time for action.” Yes, it had been discussed, several pilots have been completed and results analyzed, so
should this not be enough? Well, what will happen when players enter the Bantam level? Will this simply
add to the pressures on players this age, and add to the decline at the level? One individual indicated to
me that in a very few years the same conditions will be voted in at Bantam and if you are going that far,
why not Midget as well.
I think back to the removal of the two line pass. I don’t think any of us thought that it would speed up the

game to the level it has. The original belief was that it would reduce the number of whistles, and therefore provide for reduced loss of ice
time for younger players. It has never ceased to amaze me as to how fast our students of the game learn and adapt to the changes which are
introduced to them. Players fly down the ice well ahead of the puck, angling for that lead pass, that’s the speed I refer to. Now, no checking

will increase the speed even more. I hope we all can stop at the other end.

Folks, please don’t scream and yell at the officials during the upcoming season for it will take a bit of time to separate checking from incidental
contact.
Keep your stick below your waist.