INNISFAIL – Another great season of local slo-pitch has concluded with the recent Innisfail 590 Slo-Pitch Year-End Tournament.
And this season was special as it marks the 35th anniversary of the 590 league that was officially launched in 1987 with four teams representing communities along Highway 590.
It began last February with the annual Innisfail Sno-Pitch Tournament; a fun annual event designed to support a citizen or worthy group in need, whether it's an adult facing a life challenge, or a child urgently needing medical care.
The year-end tourney was held from Friday, Aug. 19 to Sunday, Aug. 21. Action began at 7 p.m. Friday night and concluded Sunday at 6 p.m.
The event was a fundraiser hosted by the Bambino and Devils squads to cover league fees, tournaments, jerseys or whatever is needed for the benefit of the 590 league.
The year-end event, played in optimum weather conditions for most of the weekend, also featured a beer gardens, barbecue and giveaways.
The tourney featured all 11 teams, a total of 130 players, in the 590 league. Each team played a minimum for four games before the A and B finals.
The Cripplers won the A side over GTR while Balls Deep defeated the Mustangs to claim the B side title. The winners claimed a $200 cash prize while each runner-up got $100.
“The teams did a very good job. They had everything plus more. They were just really on the ball,” said Kristen Spatz, the 590’s current president, adding the 590 league is looking for more teams to play in the future.
