In less than two years, Canada's top senior baseball teams will be swinging for the fences at Prince George Citizen Field.
Prince George has beaten out Trail and Kelowna for the right to play host to the 2012 Baseball Canada Senior Championship.
Virginia Sprangers, the 2012 bid committee chair, said pledges of support for the tournament from the local baseball community and the level of commitment from the city businesses and politicians helped convince Baseball Canada to pick Prince George.
"We were very detailed on how the operations would go," said Sprangers.
"All of the operational aspects were very clearly defined and showed them not just that we could do, but how we would do it. We were very clear on the partnerships we already had in the community and we really established the fact we had the support right from the grassroots community youth (baseball) level and the men's program, right up through to city hall and local MLAs."
The city's track record of successfully hosting the senior national tournament in 2002 and the World Baseball Challenge in 2009 was key in securing the 2012 tournament, according to Sprangers.
"All of that history really does lend itself to success in the future," said Sprangers.
The bid will become official when it is ratified at the Baseball Canada fall convention in Richmond, Nov. 3-7. Prince George will be the first B.C. city to host the event twice. Kamloops hosted it in 2005 and the 1975 tournament was played in Vancouver.
"From the perspective of the panel, Prince George has experienced people and a willing community that has proven the ability to pull off important aspects of the major baseball tournaments -- the biggest in Canada -- and led by Virginia Sprangers they made a compelling presentation," said Baseball B.C. executive director David Laing, a member of the Baseball Canada selection committee and manager of the defending national champion Burnaby Bulldogs.
"What was so challenging was that Kelowna and Trail proved to the panel that they were willing and able to host the 2012 Baseball Canada senior championship, and that speaks volumes to the strengths of our province's programs, particularly in the Interior."
The 2012 tournament is expected to bring 10 teams, including the host Prince George Westcana Electric Axemen. With 300 direct participants coming to the city, it will have a positive impact on the local economy. The tournament budget to help cover accommodation, food services, transportation and facility supplies is estimated to reach $120,000.
"This is great news for the community and helps build on the excitement of the 2015 Canada Winter Games announcement," said Prince George mayor Dan Rogers. "I wish to acknowledge all the volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure a successful bid was achieved. Through various events like this, we will continue to promote Prince George as a premier destination for regional, provincial, national and international competitions."
The tournament will be held Aug. 23-26, 2012 at Citizen Field and neighbouring Rotary Field. The 2002 championship was played at Monty Gabriele Park and the success of that event was instrumental in construction of Citizen Field, which opened in 2006.
The 2002 tournament featured 10 teams, including the host Prince George Axemen. The St. Albert (Alta.) Tigers defeated the Saint John (N.B.) Alpines in extra innings in the 2002 final.
The 2009 and 2010 tournaments were held in Dartmouth, N.S. Miramichi/Chatham, N.B. will host next year's senior championship.
The World Baseball Challenge in 2009 brought the national teams of Canada, the U.S., Germany, and the Bahamas, as well as the B.C. provincial team and the host Axemen. Next year's WBC is scheduled for July 8-19.
