INNISFAIL – Softball teams from across the province gathered in Innisfail last weekend for the 11th annual softball tournament.
The event took place on ball diamonds at the Innisfail Aquatic Centre and the Innisfail Arena from June 21 to 23.
Despite a wet start to the tournament Friday evening (June 21), games were played under sunny skies on Saturday and Sunday (June 22 and 23).
“We were rained out last night (Friday),” said Heather Bounds, assistant coach for one of three U-16 girls softball teams. “It’s been a tough game (against Drumheller) but the girls are playing really well, they’re well matched and it’s a good game.”
Several teams had make-up games on Saturday due to the rain Friday night.
Bounds said her U16 team has had a good season.
“They’ve done really well and they’ve had a solid season,” she said, noting the girls progress over the last two months. “We’re seeing a lot of growth. We have a few first-year players this year and we’ve got girls that have been playing since they were really small. They’ve been great mentors to the newer girls on the team,” she added.
A total of 34 teams from across Alberta took part in the annual tournament, including those from Red Deer, Drumheller, Trochu, Lacombe, Didsbury, Wetaskawin, Strathmore, Olds, Sundre and Innisfail.
This year, there were several softball teams with the Innisfail Minor Ball Association, including two from both U-10 and U-12 teams, and three each from the U-14 and U-16 teams.
Mellisa Dodd is the U-16 director and coordinator for the tournament.
“We will get through these games rain or shine today,” said Dodd, noting each team was guaranteed four games in the round robin on Saturday with the semifinals and finals on Sunday.
The annual softball tournament is a great community event and a great way to finish the season at the end of June, noted Dodd.
“Games start the first week of May and we try to do all the practices and tryouts in April,” she said. “It is a very, very short season.
“A lot of the girls really look forward to tournaments whether they’re home or away and they definitely look forward to this home tournament (every year),” said Dodd. “The older girls help volunteer and be part of the community.”
Dodd said the girls work hard to improve skills and techniques during the season, such as batting, catching and throwing.
“The older girls really come together as a team and have fun,” she said. “The growth from the girls, from day one to the end of the year, is amazing.
“(In our) U-10 division we have girls that have never hit a ball or never caught a ball to girls that are now making home runs at the end of the year,” Dodd concluded.
