Rick Sereda will lead a team of current and past Grey Lions to the Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Federation tourney being held in Calgary and Airdrie Aug. 2-5.
The annual Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Federation tournament will feature Grey Lions from the current roster and recent past teams as they vie to repeat the success of the 2016 team that brought home the Chuck Beaudoin Memorial Trophy to Westlock.
The long-running tournament will be hosted in Calgary and Airdrie Aug. 2-5 and will feature teams in several age categories from all over the country.
Grey Lions Rick Sereda will be playing and managing the Westlock area contingent, which will compete in the 43-plus category.
“We went to nationals three years ago in Medicine Hat, when it was here out west, and we won. It was really fun and we’ve got some of that same team back together,” he said.
Dean Fagnan, Rick Provencal, Keith Szautner and Dean Rau are among those who will join Sereda on the team when they travel south in August.
“Over time you just get connected with different organizations and groups that host tournaments so you can play against guys your own age. It’s fun to play baseball at any level, but it’s really fun when you can play guys who are in your age category, without having to chase the younger guys around,” said Sereda, who has played at the tournament six times, with different teams, over the years.
Teams from Regina and Kindersley, Sask. have already signed up along with teams from Scarborough and Woodslee, Ont., as well as Battle River and there is still time to register.
The competition is always stiff, said Sereda, so he doesn’t expect to walk away with a trophy without a concerted effort.
“We have a good team and we’re looking forward to competing and trying to win again, but it won’t be easy. There are very good teams in that age group and a lot of us are three years older than we were the last time we won and it makes a difference,” said Sereda.
“I’m excited, but I don’t know how it’s going to go ... most teams won’t travel across the country if they’re really weak. Most of the teams are at least decent and most are better than decent.”
Sereda and a couple other Grey Lions will be heading to Kindersley, for an informal 43-plus western Canadian tournament that will act as a warm-up for the national tournament.
