The 麻豆社国产Slo-Pitch Association (SSPA) may have fought cloudy skies all weekend during its wrap-up tournament but the groups future appears to be bright.
Due to increased interest in the sport in Squamish, a brand new fall league and several high profile slo-pitch tournaments could be on their way to town. SSPA president Dave Southam said the wrap-up tournament confirmed the passion of the sport in Squamish.
We fought the weather once again this year but overall I think we still had a great weekend, he said. Everyone had a lot of fun and this weekend is really all about bragging rights for the local players.
All 32 teams, representing the three divisions of play, took to the fields starting on Friday (July 15) with the annual all-star game. This year was the first year that featured both men and women playing separate five-inning games, as opposed to past years when both genders would play against each other. Southam said the new concept was well received.
It was a lot of fun and it was great to see all the ladies on the field at the same time instead of scattered in with the guys, he said. Were trying to encourage more ladies to get out there and playing and everyone seemed to enjoy the format.
The tournament started on Saturday (July 16) with all teams playing at least three games en route to the finals or consolation finals in each division. The C division produced a thrilling final game, with the Tantalus Door Knobs edging out the Garibaldi Plumbing Pipers.
That was probably one of the most competitive C division finals weve had in a long time, Southam said. Those are two teams that have the potential to run right up into A division as quickly as possible. It was a really well matched final.
The B division saw a Cinderella run of sorts for the L & A Tigercats. They placed eighth in the division during the regular season but went on a nice run all the way to the finals, before losing to the Mountain View Mowers.
I dont know how to explain the Tigercats run a lot of it with these teams is pulling your team together at the right time, said Southam. During the year teams sometimes struggle with getting enough players to get out during the week, they put together their best players at the right time to win key games.
Maybe they got a bit lucky but they obviously have skilled players on their team to earn it because you have to carry it through the whole weekend, he said.
The Hammers took home the A division crowns, defeating the Garibaldi Tire Irons in another close game. Southam said he wasnt shocked to see the two teams battling it out.
It doesnt surprise me that those two teams ended up in the final, he said. The Hammers brought out some of their key players and they run a real tight ship.
Southam also shared that the SSPA plans to run a fall league, which is scheduled to start the first week of August and run until early October.
Theres been a lot of interest in extending our season but its a lot of work to run the league for the period of time that we do, he said. This year the catalyst was the weather, no one feels were done yet and they want to keep playing.
The SSPA is hoping to fill the league with 10 to 12 teams and will have a unique rule whereby only four A division players can be on the field at a time for each time. Those interested in joining up are asked to contact Dale Horth at (604) 815-9956.
In addition to the fall league, Southam pointed out that there has been interest from two other well-established slo-pitch groups to bring both a provincial championship and the super series to town.
Weve been offered a mens and womens provincial championship tournament for next August, he said. I just have to confirm it with the District of 麻豆社国产to see if we have the fields available for the tournament.
Southam said that the tournament brings from 24 to 28 teams to town, along with potentially eight masters teams. He pointed out that its been 15 years since the last time the tournament came to 麻豆社国产and that all 32 teams in the SSPA are on board and want to help out.
According to Southam, the B.C. Super Series also has expressed interest in coming to Squamish. The eight team series consists of the top eight teams in the province and travels to six different locations across B.C. during the summer.
They approached me to ask if they could bring the tournament to 麻豆社国产this year but we werent able to do it on short notice, he said. They really like our field and theres definitely interest to bring it to 麻豆社国产next year.
For more information on the SSPA, visit www.squamish-slopitch.com.
