After three days under an unrelenting sun that baked the fields of five Prince George ballparks, the champions of Canadian native fastball were decided on Sunday.
Fifty teams brought players from all over the country for the pandemic-delayed event, originally scheduled to happen in July 2020.
The BTK Orioles of Chase captured the 22-team senior men’s division and brought the title back to B.C. soil with an 8-1 win over Oshweken Redmen of Six Nations, Ont., Sunday night at Spruce City Stadium. The Aiken Lake Kings of Prince George finished third.
Meanwhile, in the under-23 division final at Ron Riley Field, host Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles of Prince George defeated Pimicikimak Thunder of Cross Lake, Man., 6-1 in the final.
In the senior women’s championship game at Freeman Park, ECM of Six Nations, Ont., captured the crown with a 3-2 triumph over Pride of Saskatchewan.
Sapotawayak of Manitoba topped Goodfish Lake of Alberta 15-1 in the masters men’s final at Nechako Field.
Shade temperatures reached into the 30s all three days with no rain to relieve the heat. Conditions on the field made it especially tough on the 18 umpires gathered for the tournament.
“The real heroes were the umpires and the volunteers,” said tournament organizer Sheldon Bjorklund. “Our umpire-in-chief, Gord Hynes, said all the umpires were doing at least five games per day.”
Next year’s Canadian native fastball tournament will be played in Alberta.
Tournament all-stars
Senior men’s division
MVP: Steven Normand, STK
Top Pitcher: Caleb Keeshig, Ohsweken Redmen
Top Hitter: Derian Potskin, Aiken Lake Kings
Top Catcher: Brett Larson, STK
Top 1st Base: Eli Jules, STK
Top 2nd Base: Bryn Redhead, STK
Top Shortstop: Mitch Green, Ohsweken Redmen
Top 3rd Base: Ethan Lans, STK
Top Left Fielder: Brady Keeperr, Layne's Stars
Top Centre Fielder: Brayden Arcand, STK
Top Right Fielder: Josh Montana, STK
Top Coach: Lyle Normand, STK
Under-23 division
MVP: Darian Bellegarde-Cote, Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles
Top Pitcher: Darian Bellegarde-Cote, Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles
Top Catcher: Talon Amyotte, Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles
Top 1st base: Brody Rosychuk, Lenny's Selects
Top 2nd base: Theoren North, Pimicikamak Thunder
Top Shortstop: Landen Amyotte, Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles
Top 3rd base: Nathan Burge, Pimicikamak Thunder
Top Left Fielder: Damien Crowe, Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles
Top Centre Fielder: Kienan Pelletier, Falcon Contracting/Spruce City Eagles
Top Right Fielder: Ethan Halcrow – Pimicikamak Thunder
Senior women’s division
Top Pitcher: Darrien Bomberry, ECM
Top Catcher: Chantel Mathiassen, Pride
Top 1st Base: Deyon Chantel Van Every, ECM
Top 2nd Base: Jessica Martin, ECM
Top 3rd Base: Muriel Goodwill, Pride
Top Shortstop: Carey-Leigh Vyse, ECM
Top Left Field: Makenna Hill, ECM
Top Centre Field: Berry Rosychuk, Pride
Top Right Field: Brittney Longboat, ECM
Top Batter: Madison Henry, ECM
Best Coach: Robert Bomberry/Brandon Van Every, both ECM
MVP: Carey-Leigh Vyse, ECM
Masters men’s division
MVP: Craig D Pidcock, Sapotaweyak Cree
Top Pitcher: Craig Pidcock, Sapotaweyak Cree
Top Batter: Barry Dennis, Sapotaweyak Cree
Top Infielder: Dee Kootenay, Goodfish Lakers
Top Outfielder: Bert George, Goodfish Lakers
