INNISFAIL - It was a home run weekend for softball.
Innisfail Minor Ball Association hosted the 10th annual softball tournament and welcomed more than 500 players and their families to Innisfail from June 15 to 17.
“It was great. The weather cooperated but we did have a little bit of a lightning delay on Friday night,” said Leslie-Ann Epp, tournament coordinator. “We had great cooperation from the town. We had a fantastic tournament committee and our parent volunteers really helped us make this tournament a great success.”
A total of 36 teams from across Alberta, including those from Stettler, Delburne, Lacombe, Sylvan Lake, Drumheller, Trochu, Wetaskawin and Innisfail participated in the three-day tournament.
“This is such a good opportunity for the girls to participate in their own home tournament and help out,” she said. “The girls really have a great time.”
Innisfail had eight softball teams in various age categories for the tournament. Players with U-10, U-12, U-14 and U-16 took part in the event.
Several Innisfail teams shone at the tournament, bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals.
The U-10 Innisfail Hawks blue team won silver, and U-12 Innisfail Hawks team #1 won bronze. Two U-14 teams faced off in the finals with U-14 Innisfail Hawks team #1 taking gold, while U-14 Innisfail Hawks team #2 took the silver. The U-16C Innisfail Hawks won bronze as well.
Twila Reberger, head coach for the U-12 Innisfail Hawks team #2, said the annual tournament is a great experience for softball players.
“We’ve done excellent so far. We’ve got some really good teams in this division and the girls have played really well,” said Reberger.
Despite doing well in the tournament, Reberger said it’s not all about competition for the girls.
“The most important thing is that they’re having fun and they’re enjoying the sport,” she said. “We’re really grateful that we have great facilities here to be able to put on this tournament every year.”
She noted the positive feedback from all participants in the tournament and its success every year.
“It’s always been a well received tournament,” said Reberger. “We have a great association, great tournament board and great volunteers. Everybody (works) to make it come together.
“I think it’s a great sport and it says a lot about the Town of Innisfail and how we can put this tournament together every year,” Reberger concluded.
