Though the heavens rained down during almost the entire long weekend, the annual three-day Squamish Coed, Regional Division E Slo-Pitch Tournament carried on in fine form, with participants playing in various states of waterlogged giddiness.
Despite the precipitation, 40 teams from all over the Sea to Sky corridor turned out for the event.
"The rain made it very wet and soggy, but it was it really fun and everyone had a great time," said tournament co-organizer Jeanette Maddocks, who pulled the event together with the help of husband Paul. "It slowed things down a little bit, but overall didn't make much of a difference, slo-pitch players tend to be pretty relaxed about that kind of thing."
The tournament pitted long-time friendly rivals with a few newbies, but in the end it was Vancouver team Walk it Out that came out on top in the A Division.
Local team The Predators took first place in the B Division, M-Tees of Vancouver won the C Division, and locals The Rippers won the D Division. "This tournament was for teams all over 小蓝视频 but the ones that were able to come were all from the coast and Lower Mainland," continued Maddocks. "This was our first year organizing the tourney, and it was pretty crazy, but we had help from so many volunteers, which made things manageable."
Money raised through tournament entrance fees went to the $4,300 in prizes, and the remainder went towards a loan that built the new fields at the corners of Logger Sports Rd. and Finch Dr.
Thirty-three teams play under the umbrella of the local Squamish Slo-Pitch Association (SSPA), which in turn divides members into three skill based divisions.
"The league has been around for a long time, my dad played when I was a kid, and I've been playing forever," said SSPA president, Tanya Babuin. "The teams play approximately twice a week, and our league is popular because it's coed. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that husbands and wives can play together and bring the kids."
Babuin added that while some local teams play just for fun, others enjoy competing and spend a lot of time on the road travelling to tournaments across 小蓝视频
"Some get really into it and are quite driven to compete - they travel around to the various games in different cities,"The SSPA season kicks off at the end of April and runs until mid-July. Many tournaments are held in Squamish, which keeps things lively for the local teams.
SSPA is always looking for new teams and players for the summer season. To join, call 604 898-5266 or [email protected].
