From the Vancouver Sun/Canada.com
Saskatoon set for world softball stage
BY KATHRYN WILLMS, THE STARPHOENIX
In just more than three months, Saskatoon becomes the centre of the softball universe.
The 2009 world men’s softball championship runs July 17 to 26 and Keith McLean has the unenviable task of making it all happen. Saskatoon’s softball everyman retired in January and went right back to work in the sport as the full-time organizer of the tournament.
It’s not McLean’s first time directing a major sporting event. He was on the organizing committee when the city played host to the women’s world championship in 2002.
“Things are a lot different this go around than they were seven years ago,” he said. “The Internet and e-mails have really taken over. It’s amazing. Everything can be done so much quicker. If we need something, we can usually get an answer within minutes.”
In 2002, they were budgeting for postage. Last week, McLean sent an e-mail to all the federations requesting digital pictures of players and the first response was from Puerto Rico.
McLean says he’s been fielding a number of requests for the final schedule. It’s being approved by the International Softball Federation (ISF) and should be released and posted on the website in the next week.
With most of the big things taken care of, McLean says it’s time to do the little things right.
“There’s a multitude of details,” he said, sounding relatively unruffled.
At the beginning of March, the organizing committee set up the tournament office and installed CEO Gary Armstrong at the helm. They’re sorting out practice diamonds, transportation and translation services. They’re designing the trophies and medals that 16 teams from around the world will vie for.
They’ve also done their share of fielding interesting requests. The lack of accommodation on the west side near the ball parks had one team — which will remain unnamed — seeking permission to camp in Gordie Howe Park.
“It would be kind of interesting to see players coming out of tents in their uniforms,” McLean says with a chuckle. He kiboshed the idea. “They’re already booked into one of our host hotels.”
On the volunteer front, McLean says with more than 200 signed up they’re well past half of their goal.
“The normal softball fanatics that are volunteers have come forward like they always do,” he says. “We have a core of fantastic people that work for us every tournament.”
To sign up, go to www.2009worldsmensfastpitch.com
Organizers are expecting a large contingent of fans from New Zealand and Australia. Several groups have been confirmed and 80 tickets sold to softball fans Down Under. McLean also says Saskatoon should expect an influx from eastern Canada and the United States. With three Saskatchewan players in the Canadian lineup — Trevor Ethier, Keith Mackintosh and Dean Holoein — local support seems inevitable.
“It’s the biggest tournament in the world for men’s softball,” said McLean. “Why wouldn’t you?”
kwillms@sp.canwest.com
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