Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK
Back-to-back games between the Rocky's and Aklak Air capped off a full weekend of Inuvik Slo-pitch Association playoffs.

Justin Simms runs to home plate during the final game against Aklak Air on Sunday. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

The finals were held Sunday, while on Aug. 16, the last games of the season began. Overall, 10 teams were slated to compete in the pool-style matches, but due to injuries and players on vacation and out of town, two teams dropped out.

The top three teams from the regular slo-pitch season were the final three left in the playoffs Sunday.

Aklak Air, Native Yankees and Rocky's were leading in the standings.

The Rocky's had to play three games in a row, and win all three for the playoff championship.

They beat the Native Yankees, guaranteeing a minimum second-place finish. The Rocky's then had to beat Aklak Air twice in a row.

If Aklak won the first game, the Rocky's would be cemented in second place with Aklak crowned champions.

The Rocky's fought hard in the second-to-last game, and mercied Aklak before the last inning.

Taking some time off between games to let players refresh and quench their thirst, the teams then met on the diamond for a rematch.

The last game between the two teams was tight.

By the end of the fourth inning, the Rocky's and Aklak Air were tied 11-11.

Home runs hit out of the park came often, landing in the playground, beer garden canopy and once into a set of unoccupied bleachers.

"I just stopped by to have a beer and watch a bit of the game," said Bill Templeton.

"I never expected to see so many balls hit right out of the field. Luckily, there's this cover or someone would have had twice the headache."

As close as the game was, the Rocky's couldn't pull it together to add the playoff championship spot to their illustrious 2012 season. The champions of the Midnight Sun Tournament lost to Aklak Air with a final score of 17-14.

Aklak Air, who couldn't clinch a top-three position in the last tournament, won the game and rushed to hug and congratulate each other as the fans whooped and hollered.

"It was a great year of ball," said Jeffery Amos, organizer of the tournament.

"I'm looking forward to next year."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.