The Canada Cup international softball tournament may be in the rearview, but there’s still some high level ball to be played this weekend.
The Langley-based Fraser Valley Fusion ’03 and ’04 squads will be looking to win provincial titles on their home turf when the Softball BC Provincial Championship for U14A girls comes to Brookswood’s Noel Booth Park from Friday to Sunday (July 21 to 23).
The 13 teams attending include the Victoria Devils ’04, Victoria Devils ’03, Vancouver Wildcats ’03, Coquitlam Classics, Tri-City Titans ’04, Surrey Storm ’03, White Rock Renegades ’03, White Rock Renegades ’04, Fraser Valley Fusion ’03, Fraser Valley Fusion ’04, Ridge Meadows Pride ’03, Delta Heat ’04, and Delta Heat ’03.
This marks the first time that North Langley Softball has hosted a U14A Provincials and association president Trevor Moreno anticipates some high level ball as the top 12- to- 14-year-old girls teams in the province converge on Noel Booth with a goal of becoming B.C. champs.
“It’ll be fantastic,” Moreno said.
Many of the teams involved have already qualified for nationals in Brampton, Ont., so this tournament is very much about provincial bragging rights.
The tournament begins Friday morning with the provincial final set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Each team is guaranteed four round robin games, followed by a double knockout playoff round.
Moreno is confident the Fusion teams will do well, but considering the level of competition, believes there are several contenders in the mix.
The opening ceremonies and banquet run from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, and is expected to attract more than 350 people.
Tournament director Dave Duddy said dedicated volunteers, in particular Kathy Weston and Erin Heutink, have been instrumental in preparation for the B.C. championships.
“We’ve got a couple ladies off the team who have really stepped up big,” Duddy said. “Erin and Kathy, if it wasn’t for them, this ain’t happening.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Fusion ’03 manager Rocky Myre said his players have been looking forward to this tournament all season.
Fusion ’03 have already punched their ticket to Brampton, and Myre says his team is hungry to bring a B.C. title with them when they travel to Ontario.
“You have to bring together a full combination of good spirit, sportsmanship, knowledge of the game, and confidence,” Myre said.
Myre continued: “We want to win everything. Like I try to teach the girls: I don’t play to lose. I play to win. If I lose, it’s a learning experience, but I play to win.”
