INNISFAIL – The Innisfail 590 Slo-Pitch League has stepped up to help a local family.
The league raised a total of $9,000 for Innisfail's Jim Brittain with its annual sno-pitch tournament Feb. 16 and 17.
A portion of registration fees, cash donations and proceeds from a silent auction were all donated to Brittain.
“Anything we can do to help with donations is what we’re looking for. We also want to help get the word out about ALS,” said Jeff Bobak, league member and tournament volunteer.
He noted the support the tournament received this year.
“A lot of people know Jim personally through baseball, family and school, and everyone knows the (money raised) is going towards him,” he added. “They’ve all been really supportive and generous.”
Brittain recently retired from a 23-year career as an educational assistant at Innisfail High School, after he was diagnosed in December with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
He spent 30 years volunteering in the sporting community, including with Innisfail Minor Ball and Innisfail Minor Soccer, and in 2003 he began his volunteer coaching career with the Innisfail Cyclones football team.
Brittain was also a big part of the Innisfail 590 Slo-Pitch League.
A total of seven teams from Innisfail took part in the annual tournament. Teams "Got the Runs" and "Balls and Dolls" made it to the final on Feb. 17.
“It’s been an awesome weekend. Lots of people are out,” said Bobak. “It’s been fun. The wind has been the worst (part of it) but everybody is making the best of it.
“It’s all about fun, coming out and playing ball in the snow and participation,” he added.
Kristen Spatz, the league president, said there’s much to be said about the teams that braved the cold and blustery weather to participate and raise money for a good cause.
“We are dressed for the cold,” said Spatz. “We had a good turnout for our silent auction last night (at the Fox and Hound).
“It just shows their dedication. Everyone wants to get back into ball season too, they miss it,” said Spatz. “It’s for a good cause.”
