CBS father-son duo earn gold at national softball competition

By Mark Squibb

The NL Murno Mariners struck gold at the 2024 U23 Men’s Canadian Fastpitch Championship earlier this month.

Head Coach Loyola Power said the championship win — over a decade in the making —was made all the sweeter because his son Linden is also a member of the team.

“We’ve been at this together for about 12 years, and have gone to nationals probably eight of those,” said Loyola. “So, we’ve lost a lot, (and) to finally win, and having Linden on the team, made it even more special.”

Loyola, who has been named head coach of Newfoundland’s 2025 Canada Summer Games Men’s team, has been involved with softball first as a player and then a coach for the better part of 40 years.

“I love the game, and I’ve loved the game for 40 years, and to have two of my boys, Linden and Logan, interested in the game was a bonus,” said Loyola. “And these kids on the team are all like my own kids, because I’ve coached a lot of them since they were 10 or even younger. They come from all different communities — Carbonear, Placentia, Bay Roberts, the Goulds, Petty Harbour, Shea Heights, Holyrood and Harbour Main and Conception Harbour and Colliers. They’re a great group of young fellows with a passion for the game.”

Linden, meanwhile, contributes much of his success on the ballfield to his dad, who he said was always ready and willing to talk ball or take him to the field to hit balls.

“But sometimes it’s a disadvantage because if I play bad, I hear about it,” he joked.

Linden started playing ball when he was about five, following in the footsteps of both his dad and his older brother Logan.
He said he loves the team aspect of the sport.

“When playing a team game, it’s not just about you,” said Linden. “You get to the point where your teammates feel like your family. You all put something together and it turns into something big… having trust in your teammates is what’s going to win you games, and not just your individual performance. I think individual sports are great as well, but being part of something bigger is just amazing.”