The Town of Biggar was all abuzz as they welcomed over 160 competitors for the U16 Western Canadian Softball Championship on August long weekend. The host team, The Biggar Nationals, were one of nine competing teams from the western provinces.


The Nationals coach, Dion Harrabek said that they were awarded the opportunity to host in November and had been planning ever since.


“We really worked on hitting,” reported Harrabek, “Pitching was way stronger than what you’d see in regular tournaments in Saskatchewan, so we really focused on hitting this season.”


Also vying for the title of Western Canadian Softball Champion, were Saskatchewan teams, The Tisdale Riverdogs and The Southeast Supernovas. British Columbia was represented by The Nanimo Diamonds and The Prince George Thunderbirds. Alberta was represented by The Lloydminster Liners and The Edmonton Rivercity Hornets. Manitoba brought the Interleague Phillies and The Westman Magic.


Games got underway at 8am on Friday morning with the official opening ceremonies taking place at noon. ‘O’ Canada’ was sung by Biggar Nationals 3rd base player, Cassie Rashchke. Teams were each escorted by a Biggar minor ball player to be introduced, while accompanied to a walk out to a song of their choice. The Biggar Nationals came out to, ‘Get Loud for Me,’ by Gizzle.


The Nationals were knocked out after playing three really tight games where they saw two losses and one win.


The ceremonial first pitch is a longstanding ritual of baseball. The first pitch for the championships was made by Biggar ball enthusiast, Eugene Anderson and caught by his granddaughter Avery Anderson.

 


The round robin that took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning had each team play other provinces. The top four teams played Sunday afternoon and the third place and championship game was on Monday.
Gold medal winners were the Westman Magic. Silver went to the Southeast Super Novas and The Prince George Thunderbirds took home Bronze.


Biggar held on until Sunday, when they faced The River City Hornets and were knocked out. They did not advance to the semi-finals.


The Saskatchewan Supernovas had the best showing of the Saskatchewan teams. They made it all the way to the bronze medal game and beat The Phillies 12-2, but in the end if was The Manitoba Westman Magic who walked away with the title.