A few months ago, the Oceanside Slo-pitch Rippers did not exist. Now, they are champions of the association’s B Division.
The Rippers, a group of young players cobbled together by a former substitute player, clawed their way to a middle-of-the-pack finish during the league season, then steamrolled the competition in the postseason playoff tournament earlier this month at Community Park in Parksville.
“We peaked at the right time,” said shortstop Brendan Lattimer, whose diving catch on a pop fly across the third-base line put the final touch on the Rippers’ 16-6 championship-game victory over Ten of Diamonds, the league’s top team in the regular season.
Riley Coombs, who played as a sub in the league last year, decided to put together his own team this year.
“He got some guys he played with back in the day, and some of them had friends,” said Kristie Toombs. “The hard part was finding some girls who weren’t already playing.”
So what was the key to the Rippers’ title?
“Energy, teamwork, confidence,” said Coombs. “And the odd beer here and there.”
—NEWS Staff
