Saskatoon's new nostalgia-driven baseball team a home run

When Craig Wilson started a recreational baseball team in Saskatoon, he didn't know if anyone would show up. But just like the character Ray Kinsella in Field of Dreams, Wilson discovered that if you build it, they will come.

Wilson had been watching the development of sandlot leagues in the United States. The leagues provide adults with the opportunity to play baseball in a non-competitive atmosphere.

"It comes from the movie with the same title where these same kids get together and play every week," said Wilson.

"It's quite loose but they still play the rules properly."

In a Goldilocks-like dilemma, Wilson had found senior men's baseball too competitive, but slo-pitch too casual. 

He decided to create his own sandlot team, the Bridge City Blue Jays. He rented a diamond in Nutana Kiwanis Park and spread the word.

"I didn't even think I would have much interest in it because I don't have a ton of baseball buddies," said Wilson. 

"But there was a lot of interest, and there's even more interest. Everybody asks me every week if they can bring two of their buddies."

Since September the team has been meeting every two weeks for a game. Between 20 and 30 people show up and divide into two sides.

The game has key components of sandlot-era baseball — such as using wooden bats — but there are some changes to the rules to make sure it stays fun. 

"If you hit a home run over the fence, you have to switch hands and bat the other way the rest of the game just to try to encourage balls in play instead of guys just trying to hit," said Wilson.

Despite there being no official competitive aspect, the team has a professional look. Wilson is a graphic designer and had uniforms with a custom logo ready for everyone at the first game.

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