By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

For most teenagers across Canada the 2020 season was a lost year on the diamonds.

We know of four teams which played 30 or more games: three Langley Blaze teams and the Muenster Red Sox 15U.

The Red Sox -- an organization almost as old as the province itself -- was able to play 34 games from early July thru to early Oct. Far from a normal season it was a memorable one despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

The Red Sox couldn’t start this season until July, so for most players it was torture to have to wait during May and June to start playing games. With that came a great opportunity for a handful of players to spend a lot of time with Logan Hofmann.

Hofmann (Muenster, Sask.) was home from pitching with the Northwestern State University of Louisiana Demons after 28 scoreless innings. He spent time with the players, working with them daily on pitching and fundamentals. For the players it was unique to see him train and throw bullpens.

They were also there and got to see him get drafted in June by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth round and be named to the Canadian Baseball Network First Team.

Players helped chart pitches, fixed the mound and asked him questions. Hofmann had his own entourage in Muenster. Pitching was a strength of the Red Sox playing in the Saskatoon 15u AAA league. Six teams, three from Saskatoon (the Expos, Astros and the Brewers) the North East Pirates (Lloydminster area) Humboldt Dodgers and Muenster. Garret Korte, Murray Bauml and Marty Yeager coached the 11-player team. Only 11 players registered due to COVID.

The Red Sox played a 25-game league schedule finishing fourth (12-13 record) in the standings. Muenster made the league championship by beating the Pirates in quarter finals in a walk off and then beat the No. 1 team, the Brewers, in the semi final. The Red Sox lost the final to Expos.

That was 28 games played by August 30. Once the season ended, it was decided to continue with a fall ball program thru September into October. Chad Hofmann, coach of the year in Saskatchewan, led the fall program with players from the 15u team. An additional six games against other programs from Saskatoon and Lloydminster were played.

The top pitchers were Adam Korte and Merek Yeager, while the leading hitters were Bauer Dumanski and Carter Dosch.

This brought the season to an end in early October with 34 games played. Many miles and a lot of practice but a memorable season at least. From throwing long toss with snow on the ground to bullpens and live hitting with Logan Hofmann, the Muenster Red Sox won’t forget 2020.