[Alsfastball] Monkton gears up for premier tournament

[Andy Bader]

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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