[Alsfastball] Monkton gears up for premier tournament

[Jim Flanagan]

Monkton waiting to host the world
http://www.monktonfastball.com


All plans in place for inaugural World Men's Fastball Invitational tourney

By Andy Bader
Mitchell Advocate

All that's left to be done is play ball!

And Monkton is waiting to accommodate, says World Men's Fastball
Invitational tournament Chair Brian Baillie.
"There's nothing I can't put my finger on that's not been taken care of,
really," Baillie said last Thursday, a week before the opening pitch is set
to kick off the four-day inaugural elite tournament at the Elma-Logan
Recreation Complex.

"The ball park has never looked better, everything looks awesome and we're
all ready to go."

Eight world class teams - perhaps the best field of chosen premier fastpitch
softball players accumulated for such a tournament - will battle in Monkton
for big prize money, but also help further expose the sport to the village
of Monkton and the entire region.
But Baillie also promises something different.

Two separate dances - one this Friday evening featuring Russeldale's Les
Smith as a Garth Brooks country music impersonator and the Practically Hip
one night later, a tribute to the Canadian band Tragically Hip - will
provide a highlight for the players and fans of the teams, plus the entire
community.

"The dances are no doubt one of the attractions to making this tournament a
little unique and a little special," he said, noting that at world class
events such as this, the game itself is the feature attraction, and although
it will be once again, the extras such as the dances the entire volunteer
committee is doing will make the tournament memorable.

The opening ceremonies will take place at the diamond Thursday, July 1, at
6:45 p.m. with Baillie, North Perth Mayor Ed Hollinger, and Jody Eidt, of
Mitchell, playing in the tournament for his Broken Bow Spirit, all scheduled
to say a few words. Walton's Laura Elligsen will sing the national anthem.

The Waterloo-Sebringville Hallman Twin City Sting will play a doubleheader
immediately after the ceremonies, first taking on Halifax then Calgary at 7
and 9 p.m. respectively.

Round-robin games continue Friday afternoon from 2-8 p.m. with four
different games on tap, with the "feature" game featuring the defending
International Softball Congress (ISC) world champion Spirit taking on County
Materials out of Madison, Wisconsin.
Round-robin games continue on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m., with the first
playoff game set for 8 p.m. that evening. Four more playoff games, including
the winner-take all championship match at 2 p.m., will take place Sunday.

Teams from Michigan, New York and Washington, D.C. are also scheduled to
participate.

Baillie said the diamond and ball park has undergone a major overhaul, most
recently seeing the installation of a clay sport mix specifically for
baseball infields which will make the diamond not only look impressive, but
also be something special for the players to play on. The clay mix was
installed last Wednesday, and it drew raves from all visitors over the next
few days.
"It looks like someone came in and put in a whole new infield," he said. "It
looks fantastic."

Roofs were installed for the two dugouts, the outfield grass has been
manicured meticulously and the driveway and other parking areas has been
improved by town employees.

Baillie expects visitors from across North America, having received ticket
requests from Vancouver to the west and Halifax to the east, as well as
California and Florida in the United States.

Weekend passes for the tournament are $25 each, with daily admission $5 for
Thursday night, and $10 for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Children under 10
are admitted free. All tickets are available from TJ's Variety, the Rubber
Boot and Mitchell Sports. Dance tickets, for just $10 each, are also selling
well.

Andy Bader
Publisher/Editor
The Mitchell Advocate
Mitchell, ON
519-348-8431
519-348-8836 (fax)
www.mitchelladvocate.com
mailto:abader at bowesnet.com


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