INNISFAIL - Sunshine, mild temperatures and plenty of team spirit helped make the annual Innisfail Snow-Pitch Tournament another great success.
The fundraising event took place at the ball diamonds next to the Innisfail Aquatic Centre on Feb. 11 and 12.
The Innisfail 590 Slow Pitch League hosted the tournament. The event raises money every year for a local charity. This year the organization chose to give to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prairies to Peaks.
"We couldn't ask for better weather," said David Boutilier, president of the Innisfail 590 league. "The snow is an equalizer. It makes everyone (play at) the same skill level."
Organizers were just as pleased with the weekend tournament.
"The weather is great, games are good and everybody seems to be having a really good time," said Curtis Hoffman, league secretary and one of the organizers of the event.
About 200 players on nine teams from around Central Alberta registered for the snow-pitch tournament this year.
A new team with members from Red Deer and the Stettler area, not a part of the 590 Slow Pitch League, heard about the tournament and wanted to do their part to help a local charity.
"We wanted to come out, support a charity, have some fun and play some baseball," said Amanda Wells, team manager for the Snowballs. "It's our first (snow-pitch) tournament and we're loving it so far."
Games took place all day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with many participants adding to the fun by dressing up in costumes or their favourite sports jerseys.
"It's all for fun. I don't know where this (costume) thing came from. It's something we started and it's just taken off," said Hoffman, noting the great crowds in attendance Saturday. "Everybody has been fantastic."
Money raised for the charity tournament was collected from a raffle draw that included 100 items donated by community businesses and sponsors as well as a 50/50 draw.
The Alberta chapter of Slow Pitch National also donated prizes for winning teams.
Curtis Hoffman, organizer
"The weather is great, games are good and everybody seems to be having a really good time."
