LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Seven teams came out to play in the hot sun last weekend at the annual Two Rivers Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament in Fort Simpson, almost doubling the amount from last year.

Scrubs player number 24, Mark Gillis, right before he hits the ball and makes a dash for first base at the July 10 slo-pitch tournament in Fort Simpson. - Joseph Tunney/NNSL photo

"Last year was the first (tournament) we had in about eight years," said Fort Simpson recreation co-ordinator Nathan McPherson, who helped organize the event.

"We're trying to get it going every year again."

McPherson said it was low participation and a lack of desire that killed the game that eight years ago.

Now, however, he sees more than just baseball flourishing out at the field past the Flats.

"There's the games, you got a canteen, kids running around playing, having a good time," he said. "It just gets people out watching."

He said there were four teams from Fort Simpson and three from other communities.

MacPherson himself pitched on one of the teams but didn't make it to the finals.

The primary change in slo-pitch compared to regular baseball is that the throws are underhanded, increasing the chances the batter will hit.

In the finals were the Scrubs from Fort Simpson and the MacKenzie Bruise-Jays from Fort Providence.

Scrubs captain Darwin Norwegian, said he felt good after winning their first game out of a possible three.

"We've done awesome," he said. "We're excited."

"Fun is the most important part," said Alex Roche, one of the players on the team.

"It's turns into a competition throughout the entire way," Roche said.

"We're playing ball in 30 degrees (Celsius.)"

In the end, the Scrubs came out on top beating Bruise Jay twice.

But despite the heat and not himself getting into the finals, for MacPherson, the tournament serves one purpose.

"Getting baseball rejuvenated."

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