Strathmore sisters play against each other in showdown

Times Reporter

 

Katie Coulter played for the Junior Strathmore Magic for 10 years, but has since moved up to the Senior Calgary Red Sox. Her sister Brianne, five years her junior, has plenty of time to catch up to 27-year-old Katie; Brianne currently plays for the Intermediate Calgary Sluggers. They faced each other this weekend in the Chinook Credit Union Strathmore Fastpitch May Opener, with Katie’s Red Sox taking the win, 9-2.

Both girls say their father gave them their passion for baseball, and started when they were two young girls growing up in Strathmore.

“My dad played, so that’s what got us into it. That’s why he started us, and we just fell in love with it,” Katie said.

“I would love to watch it when I have kids,” sister Brianne said.

Katie is most comfortable playing in the outfield – typically left or right – but wants to work on her pull-hitting. She hopes to continue with baseball “as long as her body will let her”. 

Katie currently is a fifth grade teacher at Brentwood Elementary.

Brianne just began her career at third base this year, but enjoys second as well. Her Calgary Sluggers finished first in the Intermediate division this weekend, however lost in the semi-finals. Fastpitch is more of a hobby for Brianne, who recently graduated from the University of Alberta’s Dental Hygiene program. She loves the teamwork aspect of the game, and feels the Sluggers have the basics down to go fairly far this season.

Katie’s looking forward to Provincials at home in Strathmore come July, and then hopefully Westerns afterwards in August. This weekend, the Red Sox finished first in the Sr. B division, but lost to the Strathmore Magic in the final 3-2. 

“We’re one of the top teams in Alberta,” Katie said. It’s just the start of the year; anything can happen.