Early Years
From a single team to the most successful fast pitch organization in Manitoba
The Smitty’s Organization of teams was officially founded in the late summer of 1992 by a group of interested individuals dedicated to the formation of an elite “A” softball program in all age categories.
At the forefront of this endeavor were Roy and Evelyne Holenski, long time coaches of the Smitty’s Senior Ladies Team (having started as a group of 11 and 12 year olds in 1975). Joining them at the table were the Obsession group (Tony Foti, Carey Lasuik and Nick Atkinson) and the Terminators tandem of Dale and Marion Newsham, all very successful in their own right.
The basic theory behind the establishment of such an organization wasn’t unique; in fact, it is common in many sports. Neither was this new to the Holenski’s, as a similar idea had been spawned a decade earlier when their junior team became a working affiliate to the original Smitty’s team formed in 1979 by Neil Bordelay, former manager of the great Doc’s Blues team out of British Columbia.
In the mid to late 1980’s, Smitty’s, Obsession and the Terminators had a rather informal working relationship. However, they shared a common interest in the development of players and fielding strong teams. In Manitoba at this time, teams operated at the whim of individuals who had taken it upon themselves to operate a team at the level of their choice. Consequently, the continued operation of most elite teams had been dependent upon the continued interest, perseverance and financing by individuals.
The parameters and standards for this new program were set to form an elite softball association. Smitty’s, under the auspices of the Holenski’s, began the operation of at least one “A” level team in each category of play. Quality coaches were solicited, teams were formed, and together the coaches operated as Smitty’s teams do today; independently, but cooperatively. While the Holenski’s continued to pursue sponsorship negotiations on behalf of the teams, major fundraising activities became the responsibilty of each team, depending on their needs.
The purpose of the organization was, and is, to:
– provide stability and continuity;
– develop skills and provide the highest possible level of play, affording players the opportunity to rise to the next level;
– provide a very important feeder system whereby players can move within its framework.
Our Winning Tradition
For over four decades, Smitty’s teams have been at the forefront of elite female fast pitch softball in Manitoba, winning over 102 Provincial championships and 29 Canadian and Western Canadian championships. Smitty’s players have been key components of Canadian National teams. The Smitty’s organization pride shines brightly over Karen Doell, Jaunita Clayton, Deb Sonnenberg, Sandy (Newsham) Maskiw and Heather (Newsham) Ruby as they represented our country as Olympians, at Pan-Am Games and World Championships with great distinction.
Whether you’re a player or coach looking to take on the challenge of top-level fast pitch softball, or a fan looking for sports entertainment at its best, Smitty’s is the place to be!
Championship History
| YEAR | AGE CATEGORY | CHAMPIONSHIP | FINISH |
| 1993 | Bantam (U17) | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 1994 | Midget (U19) | Canadian | Champions |
| 1994 | Junior (U23) | Canadian | Champions |
| 1995 | Bantam (U17) | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 1995 | Midget (U19) | Canadian | Champions |
| 1995 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 1996 | Midget (U19) | Canadian | Champions |
| 1996 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 1997 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 1999 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 2001 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 2002 | Senior | Senior | Champions |
| 2002 | Masters | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2003 | Junior B (U23) | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2003 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 2004 | Senior Open | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2005 | Senior Open | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2006 | Senior Open | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2006 | Junior (U23) | Canadian | Champions |
| 2007 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 2008 | Midget (U19) | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2008 | Senior | Canadian | Champions |
| 2008 | Midget (U19) | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2009 | Midget (U19) | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2011 | U19 | Canadian | Bronze |
| 2012 | U14 | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2012 | U18 | Western Canadian | Champions |
| 2013 | Senior | Canadian | Finalists |
| 2014 | U14 | Canadians | Champions |
| 2015 | Senior B U16 | Western Canadian Western Canadian | Champions Bronze |
| 2016 | U14 U18 | Canadian Canadian | Finalists Bronze |
| 2017 | U14 | Canadian | Finalists |
| 2018 | U14 | Canadian | Finalists |
| 2023 | U17 | Western Canadian | Finalists |