Saskatoon hosts Canadian championship softball tournaments

The crack of bats can be heard across the ball diamonds at Saskatoon’s Gordie Howe Sports Complex these days.

Until Aug. 7, the complex will be home to 21 under-15 girls fastpitch teams from across the country, competing for the title of Canadian champions. Mark Loehndorf, vice-chair of the event, said teams are coming from as far away as New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

“We have almost every province represented,” he said.

Four teams from Saskatchewan will take part in the event, including the host team, the Saskatoon Hustlers.

Coach Dustin McCowan said they’ve got a great team.

“We’ve had a great season so far this year. We were in provincials here three weeks ago, and we placed as a top Saskatoon team … Our goal at the start of the season was to get to this tournament, and we’ve met our goal.”

McCowan said the best teams in the country are going to play in the tournament, and he expects the Hustlers will compete well.

“We’re very confident in our girls,” he said.

Loehndorf said Saskatoon has hosted 25 Canadian championships, a figure no other city has even come close to matching. More tournaments are on tap for Aug. 10-14 as well.

“The next week (there will be) two more Canadian championships,” he said. “We’ll have a combined two championships running at the same time – the under-17 boys Canadian championships, and the women’s Canadian championships.”

There’s an incredible amount of behind the scenes work that “dozens and dozens” of volunteers also take on. Loehndorf said Saskatoon is very used to hosting the events, and has the process down pat.

“We’re really thankful for the support of all the volunteers that we get, and the sponsors that work with us,” he added.

Passes for the any of the championship groups or games can be purchased online.