Play ball! RRDFL swings into action tonight

Ken Johnston
Editor

Let’s play ball!
That will be the call from behind home plate at ball fields across the Rainy River District tonight as the season gets underway for the Rainy River District Fastball League.
Donnie Gall of the Rainy River Legion team and statistician for the league, said they are looking forward to a good season with a few changes. Pinewood and Red Gut Bay both folded their teams and several of the players from those teams have joined other squads.
At the same time International Falls has rejoined the league after more than a decade of being absent. Gall noted that a player from Sight and Sound (Fort Frances) has organized the team in the Falls and will play there this year. Other teams in the league include Sight and Sound, Sabaskong, Stratton, Big Grassy, Barwick, Rainy River and Big Island.
“We have eight teams which makes for great league play with no byes,” said Gall. The schedule starts tonight and runs every Tuesday and Thursday. It will be 17 games long with an All Star break in July. The All Star game will be in Rainy River this year on July 11th.
As for the composition of Rainy River’s team which went 14-0 last season in regular play, Gall said, “We have lost a few guys but have picked up Joel Ashworth and Earl Ivall from Pinewood. We should have another good season.”
Gall said that All Star Pitcher Murray Armstrong will be back on the mound and should be stellar again this year.
Visiting Rainy River tonight for the season opener will be Stratton who also picked up some players from Pinewood. Game times are 7 p.m. everywhere except Fort Frances who will start at 8 p.m. All are welcome to come out and watch. There is no admission charge.
On Thursday Rainy will be at Big Grassy and next Tuesday will host Barwick.