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Chetwynd Slo-Pitch League opens nominations for memorial award

The Chetwynd Slo-Pitch league announced nominations for the Carlene Engelland Memorial Award are open. It is not “about skill or stats – but about soul.”

By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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Sports

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July 4, 2025

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A softball down the foul line. The award is named after Carlene Engelland, who used to play with the Chetwynd Slo-Pitch League. (Canva)

CHETWYND, B.C. — A local slo-pitch league has opened nominations for an award commemorating a former player.

The Chetwynd Slo-Pitch League has announced nominations are open for the Carlene Engelland Memorial Award, according to a Facebook post from the league.

The award is named after Engelland, a league member who passed away in March 2025 at the age of 45.

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“Carlene was the heart of the diamond,” reads the post. “Her laughter, encouragement and love for the game touched every player who stepped onto the field.

“She cheered for everyone, lifted spirits on the toughest days and brought a kind of warmth that made the game feel bigger than just wins or losses.”

The award will be nominated to a league member who “carries the same light,” spreading kindness on the field, showing genuine support and sportsmanship, uplifting teammates and others and who leads by example with their heart and humility.

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“You can nominate a player from your own team, someone from another team or even someone who doesn’t play,” reads another part of the post.

The post says the award isn’t about “skill or stats – but about soul.”

To nominate someone, click the link here or scan the QR code on the post. Nominations are open until Monday, July 14th.

More details about the Chetwynd Slo-Pitch League can be found on its Facebook page.

Authors

Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A guy who found his calling later in life, Edward Hitchins is a professional storyteller with a colourful and extensive history.

Beginning his journey into journalism in 2012 at Seneca College, Edward also graduated from Humber College with an Advanced Diploma in Print and Broadcast Journalism in 2018. After time off from his career and venturing into other vocations, he started his career proper in 2022 in Campbell River, B.C.

Edward was attracted to the position of Indigenous Voices reporter with Energeticcity as a challenge. Having not been around First Nations for the majority of his life, he hopes to learn about their culture through meaningful conversations while properly telling their stories.

In a way, he hopes this position will allow both himself and Energeticcity to grow as a collective unit as his career moves forward and evolves into the next step.

He looks forward to growing both as a reporter and as a human being while being posted in Fort St. John.

This reporting position has been funded by the Government of Canada and the Local Journalism Initiative.