Strathmore to host Western Canadian U16 Fastpitch Softball Championships

Times Contributor

 

It will be exciting and competitive softball in Strathmore from Aug. 9 to 12 when the Western Canadian Fastpitch Softball Championships will be hosted.

The girls Bantam ‘A’ Boston Pizza (BP) Thunder team is the host for the event.

“Being the host just adds excitement to the team and they realize that all year. Every time they go on the field it has a meaning. All season playing primarily higher age teams (Midget, Jr and Intermediate Women’s) will always keep them ready,” said Lanky Johnson, coach and manager for the team, in an e-mail interview.

The team began play in the Calgary Women’s Fastball league on May 2, and has been practicing indoors throughout the winter and attending indoor clinics since February.

The BP Thunder won the Alberta U16 ‘B’ provincials last year, and hosting the western championship sets the stage for a higher level of play for all the girls in the league to aspire to, said Johnson, who is also girls director for the league.

The championship will feature 16 teams, with two boys and two girls teams coming from each western province.

Admission to the tournament will be free for anyone under 18 years old.

Johnson said he is hopeful the community will get involved with the event.

“Help is always wanted and needed, you can never have enough.”

Boston Pizza is the main sponsor for the team and the event.

This is not the first time Strathmore has hosted softball championships. The Western Canadian Pee Wee Championships were hosted by Calgary Minor Softball two years ago and Strathmore assisted. The Jr. ‘B’ Women’s Championship was also hosted in the past, according to Johnson.

For more information about the event, or to get involved, visit the league website at strathmorefastpitch.com.