The Canadian Native Fastball Championship in Prince George wrapped up Sunday.
Even with 1500 athletes participating, Chairman Harley Desjarlais says the event went really smoothly.
“We didn’t have a lot of logistical issues, fortunately, and all of the feedback we’ve gotten from the people who attended was very positive. We’re very happy,” he says, “results exceeded our expectations with respect to the crowds, the amount of people that attended, (and) the generally positive atmosphere.”
Bradley Deneault is the coach of the Men’s Division champions, West Bank Cardinals, and had kind words for Harley and the organisers.
“The magnitude and the size of this tournament, for everything to go the way it went, it was awesome. Everybody got treated fairly and the games were awesome and the crowds were huge. Overall, it was a great experience.”
More than 600 km separate Westbank and Prince George, but it’s fitting that a Cardinal with PG ties was a huge contributor in the team’s win.
“Local boy Danny Fulton come(s) up and hit(s) a home run to get us going. We were down 2-0 and I believe that point woke us up and got us going to prevail and become champs.”
The Cardinals would defeat NB Petro Hawks 5-2 to win the men’s tournament and the $12,000 prize. Deneault says the money will help fund the team’s upcoming tournament in Soboba, California.
Meanwhile, other provinces have already asked Desjarlais and his team to help plan other tournaments.
Other winners from the tournament:
Jr Men’s Division – Big Guy Lake (defeat Goodfish Lake 9-1)
Men’s Master’s Division – Redline (defeat Nak’azdli 3-1)
Women’s Division – Red Nation (defeat Curve Lake 10-0)
Women’s Master’s – Westbank (defeat Kokos QT’s 7-6)
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