Is there a resurgence of interest in fastball and baseball in Prince George?
The answer is debatable but on the short term this is the best time of the year for P.G. ball fans.
A staggering 77 teams, in five divisions, from across the nation take to eight Prince George diamonds for the Canadian Native Fastball Championships that run today through Sunday.
In other words, well over 1,000 players, most of them very skilled, will be in the hunt for cash, prizes and trophies.
Organizers were hoping for 60 teams but were flabbergasted with the overwhelming interest.
In fact, some teams were turned away after going on a waiting list.
The 28 team men’s division, with feature games at Spruce City Stadium, will garner plenty of attention especially the host P.G. River Kings, who have won this tournament a total of eight times.
“Yes, definitely want to win it. We’ve got some of the old guys that played with us in previous years and a couple of young guys to give us some balance, but we have a solid team,” stated tournament organizer and River Kings men’s player Randy Potskin.
The other divisions include women (22), masters men (12), masters women (5) and junior men 21 and under (10).
This is the third time, (first since 1994) P.G. has hosted the all native championship and one can assume it won’t be the last.
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Next week (Aug. 4-7) Citizen Field will be the site for the B.C. minor baseball midget AA championship.
10 teams from around the province are entered, including the host Prince George Knights.
The final is slated for August 7th at 4:30 in the afternoon.
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A couple of weeks down the road, the 4th World Baseball Challenge in P.G. will be featured at Citizen Field.
One has to credit the organizing committee for having patience, perseverance and persistence to make the tournament a go.
It would have been easy with all the road blocks to have just let the WBC fade away into the sunset.
The World Baseball Challenge was originally set for 2015 but due to a lack of sponsorship money that was taken up by the Canada Winter Games, the tournament was pushed back a year.
Getting a commitment from quality teams in 2016 was more difficult than smacking a ball 450 feet.
Just when it appeared five teams were set to go, the Bahamas let the committee down by pulling out at nearly the last minute.
Fortunately the Roswell Invaders of New Mexico stepped in as a replacement.
“They are a highly respected very competitive team and are excited they accepted our late invitation,” stated tournament chair Rick Pattie who is spearheading the committee that is determined to make the event a success.
The other competing teams are Japan, Thurston Country Generals of Olympia, Washington, Sidearm Nation of Calgary and the Kamloops Sun Devils.
Unlike other years there is no host Prince George based team.
Sure it would have been nice to see Cuba again or a national team from South Korea, U.S. or Canada but despite many challenges organizers are just thankful there dedication was rewarded.
The tournament runs August 12th to 20th.
Needless to say, attendance will be a main factor in determining whether the WBC continues in Prince George or moves elsewhere.
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Hard work, desire and a superb attitude!
Defenceman Brandon Manning is an example of these attributes and reasons why he is fulfilling a dream of playing in the NHL.
After suiting up one season with the Prince George Spruce Kings and three with the WHL’s Chilliwack Bruins, Manning was never drafted, but here he is at age 26 the newest member of the Prince George millionaire club.
The Philadelphia Flyers signed Manning to a two-year deal for $1.95 million.
All the junior bus rides, toiling in the minors (AHL) and extensive physical workouts have all paid off for the personable Manning who has moved his way up the ranks on the Flyers blue-line.
He understands he has little job security yet thrives under the pressure of playing in one of the most critical markets in all of North America.
Yes, if one can make it in Philadelphia, one can play anywhere.
Manning has just one full NHL season under his belt (and one highlight reel goal) but based on ambition his best may yet to come.
From the Quote Rack:
Dennis Green has passed at 67—-he was always who he thought he was.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
An Oklahoma City store is selling Kevin Durant jerseys for 48 cents. Are they selling them in the BBQ section as kindling?
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
It was nice to see that Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale was working on his cutter last weekend.
Contributor Marc Ragovin
The NFL announced it will put computer chips in their game balls. So will they be GPS enabled so tracking can go from locker rooms to restrooms and beyond?
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
According to Missouri newspapers, a Joplin couple was arrested after riding naked on a stolen lawn mower. If you don’t believe me, check the clippings.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
The mayor of Rio is trying to get Pokémon Go in the city ahead of the Summer Games. So now you can go to Rio and catch two things.
NBC’s Jimmy Fallon
And in case you missed it:
Olympic organizers will hand out 450,000 condoms to athletes for the Rio Games. And that is just for the U.S. men’s basketball team.
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games.
His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller