A season that almost didn’t happen culminated with a podium finish at the provincial championships.
Back in the fall, the Langley Rebels had just 10 players — including only one pitcher — and were in danger of folding before the season even began.
But thanks to the addition of a couple of out-of-towners — including a few more pitching arms — and the Rebels season was a go.
And the U18 rep B fastball squad capped things of over the weekend with the bronze medal.
The Rebels were among the 16 teams that hit the ball diamond July 4 to 6 at Abbotsford’s Exhibition Park. And Langley got off to a great start with wins in five of their first six games to book a spot into the semifinals.
But the Rebels lost to the Surrey Storm 96 and then to the Cordova Bay Blackout in the double-knockout format to finish third.
What stings even more is the fact Langley beat both those teams earlier in the tournament.
“We had it in our grasps,” said Langley coach Rob Komorowski.
“But I am really proud of the girls; it is an accomplishment they should be proud of.
“We are very proud of them, there is no other way to describe it.”
Komorowski said that coaches can instruct players all they want, but the time comes when the players just have to get on the field and execute.
“You can teach them all you want, but when it comes down to it, they have to go and get it done.”
The Rebels now shift their focus to the 2014 Canadian Open Fastpitch International championship.
The annual tournament begins July 11 and runs through until July 21.
The Rebels are the lone Langley squad taking part in the elite event, which is being held at Softball City (2201 148 St.), Sunnyside Park (15455 26 Ave.) and Cloverdale Athletic Park (6410 168 St.).
They will play in the Futures Select division. The majority of the teams in their division are from B.C. Three other teams are from Washington State and one is from Saskatchewan.
“They are very excited,” most have them have never played at it before,” Komorowski said.
He has coached teams in the past at the event, but this is his first year with this group of girls.
