(click logo to visit the official ISF XII World Championships website)
BY KATHRYN WILLMS
Two days before the International Softball Federation men’s world championship begins in Saskatoon and the only thing rounding the bases at Bob Van Impe Stadium on Wednesday is a tractor. After this week’s downpour, a pumper truck has been brought in to suck up the water.
A quick-dry compound absorbs the rest. The shale is then evened out, leaving the sun to finish the job.
When the roar of the tractor cuts out, there is silence. But listen closely.
A distant crack of a bat filters into the stadium. Behind Bob Van Impe Stadium is a maze of lush fields, where exhibition games have begun. Instructions ring out in various accents, fans congregate along the sidelines in clusters of lawn chairs. Kids play catch as players flex their bats, their white pants a mess of grass stains and dirt.
GAMES START FRIDAY
The championship doesn’t start until Friday, but the softball world has arrived in Saskatoon.
Inside the organizers’ trailer, it’s what hasn’t arrived that’s making news.
On Wednesday morning, Canada changed its laws, requiring a visa to admit travelers from the Czech Republic and Mexico. While the Czech team touched down before the law took effect, officials scrambled to ensure the Mexican team was granted entry.
And where is the Indonesian team?
Gary Armstrong, executive director for the event, just laughs. There’s always something.
After their long plane rides, the teams are on deck. Saskatoon is making a good impression.
“Today we’ve got sunshine and two games lined up,” says South African pitcher Monte Sadler. “As far as preparation goes that should be more than adequate.”
Sadler says the team is especially looking forward to playing Australia.
“We’re big rivals in rugby and cricket,” he says. “We’ve got to take it through on the softball field as well.”
The Great Britain team includes players from all over the world, including Saskatoon StarPhoenix reporter Dave Hutton.
Three-year national team veteran James Chalmers is an Australian who lives in Denmark and plays for Great Britain. He gets a little grief for his shifting affiliations.
“There’s always some snide remarks from the Australians,” he says.
FANS PLAY FAVOURITES
The British team, which finished fourth at the recent Grey Sox tournament in Vancouver, touched down in Saskatoon on Tuesday. While Vancouver certainly made an impression — Chalmers is trying to convince his wife they should move there — his time in Saskatoon has already provided a highlight.
“We went to Walmart,” he says with a laugh. “We got some blue shorts that fit every one.”
The fields and the bullpens aren’t the only place to find ballplayers. Lorette and Stan Halliwell, who play senior slow pitch two mornings a week, are on hand to check out the Americans. The Halliwells attended the 2002 women’s worlds and were particularly taken by the Japanese team.
“They were just warming up and they were throwing the ball so fast, you couldn’t see it,” Lorette says. “It was really cool to watch.”
Ron Matheson, a native of Miramachi, N.B., who has retired in Saskatoon, is also here at the ballpark, sizing up the Americans, but has already decided who he is rooting for.
“I’m going to go with our home team; Canada and Australia to be in the finals,” Matheson says. “But you never know. Anything can happen in softball. Nobody’s unbeatable.”
Matheson, who played competitive ball with military teams, plans to make it out to as many games as possible at worlds.
“If people don’t come out here and see this,” he says, “there’s something wrong.”
kwillms@sp.canwest.com
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