2008 Softball BC Senior Service Award – VSWSA

In 1971, Walter Yeamans secured Hyacinth Park at the corner of Interurban and Marigold so the Senior Ladies would have a ball facility to call home, and no longer have to share Central Park with the men.

The park was used by soccer players in the winter which meant that the dedicated volunteers every spring had to put the outfield fences up and take them down at season’s end.  Finally, in 1989, the Municipality of Saanich turned the running of the park over to them. The current building with a meeting room upstairs, an umpire room, storage area for grounds equipment and storage lockers for individual team equipment was erected. The diamonds were skinned and score booths built, everything being done by players, coaches and friends.

Over the years, the park hosted many Provincial and Western Canadian Championships for senior men, women, mixed and minors.  Hosting Provincial events and clinics for minors has been a highlight for the park – a chance to let it shine.  In the 1980′s and 90′s, annual tournaments were held providing much needed funding for on-going maintenance and improvements.

The Victoria/Saanich Womens Association has been the stepping stone for minors entering the senior game at the elite level.Many Hyacinth teams over the years have represented British Columbia at Westerns and Canadians with much success. The park continues to showcase women’s ball, now and in the future – a tribute to the 2008 Senior Service Award recipient Victoria/Sannich Women’s Fastball Association.

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