For nine years, Oilers were disbanded. They had no home diamond to play on after changes were made in 2006, to Virden’s sports field to accommodate the new recreation facility.
The ball diamond is so new, its official name is still “a work in progress,” says a team player and organizer Des Koop. Virden Oilers, a AA team are back together, playing in the South West
Baseball League (SWBL).
The team is pleased to be back and Koop makes mention of the “steady support” from the Town of Virden (leveling the field), and from some businesses as well.
But the team is doing some of the grunt work themselves, with a little help from their friends.
“Players are building the dugouts and picking rocks and debris out of the outfield with the assistance of the high school baseball team,” says Koop.
Des Koop, Zane Sawyer, Austin Brereton, Tanner Lewis and Brady Potter, are all coming from MSBL down to SWBL. The rest of the returning team members played in a AA league in
Manitoba.
The Oilers are a homegrown team. “All the players, with the exception of one, were raised in Virden and came through the Virden minor ball system,” says Koop.
With the Virden Oilers back in, the SWBL will remain at nine teams after the Melita Beavers announced they will be taking a leave for the 2015 season. Virden will play its
first four games on the road before opening at home on June 10, according to website information.
They will play every team once, with a home and away schedule of 16 season games before playoffs.
With the finishing touches on their facility and a first practice planned for the holiday Monday, the Oilers are preparing for the season.
