All four Interlake Maroons AA softball clubs have concluded the 2023-24 season.
This season was the first time the program played as the Maroons since rebranding the name and team logo ahead of the season.
The program had four clubs (U11, U13, U15, U17) this season as AA affiliates to the AAA Interlake Phillies program, which also plays out of Quarry Park in Stonewall.
Each team had moments of success this season, from the start of development camps in October 2023 until early August 2024, when all clubs concluded their seasons.
The U11s’ season was highlighted by a regional tournament gold medal and an appearance at provincials.
The U13s and U15s also made provincial and showcase tournament appearances throughout the season, the U13s taking bronze at provincials only a month ago.
The U17s’ season was cut short due to a lack of players, though the club played multiple games and competed in a showcase tournament at the start of the season.
“The showings that the teams had all the way through and spending time talking to the parents and them saying it was a really good experience,” said Maroons director Jeff Kisiloski. “It was an awesome season and they were seeing development. That was probably the biggest thing.”
Kisiloski said it was one of his busiest years with the program, in part due to the rebranding and his management of the U15 club.
Part of his goal for the program was to prepare the players for success, and that started at development camps ahead of the season.
The first in October allowed the players to meet and play together for the first time. It also allowed prospective coaches to meet and work with the players.
Over 60 girls attended the development camp, which also took place in mid-January. At this camp, potential coaches could officially put their names forward in hopes of being selected.
Kisiloski said having multiple camps with potential coaches in attendance allowed him to find the best candidates and help set them up for success.
“This was really a very good reflection of what we want the future of the league and club to go,” said Kisiloski. “We had a lot of investment into finding the right coaches for the teams, working with the coaches to develop players and team culture, making sure they have the right equipment available to help put a good product on the field. It really paid off.”
Once the Maroons officially hit the field for the first time in May, Kisiloski got to see his months of work paying off.
The teams were playing well in front of large, local crowds. Local businesses supported them through sponsorships, which made many of their opportunities possible.
“It was an absolute joy,” said Kisiloski. “It was the product of lots of hard work by myself, the members of the Phillies board, coaches, and members of the community. It really showed the effort of the off-season development so when it came time to literally hit the field. It was pretty cool to see the fruition of everybody’s hard work and, most importantly, the girls really having a fun time. It was really rewarding.”
Kisiloski said they plan on having all four Maroons teams again in 2024-25. His plan is to have a similar development camp and tryout process to last year’s, starting with winter camps in Stonewall.
Tryouts are expected for April/May 2025, with regular season games starting shortly after.
