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RANKIN INLET
The Calm Air Cup is just days away and after weeks of dominating normal season play, the Rankin Inlet slo-pitch team The Juggernauts is hoping to score the coveted trophy for its third consecutive year.

To some on the team, it's more fact than hope. Infielder Chad Graham, when asked if his team was in a good position to win this year, casually said, "Oh yeah, for sure," without missing a beat.

Smack talk aside, this year's cup might not be so simple for the incumbents. Graham admits there could be some strong competition, especially if Coral Harbour shows.

"They're usually a pretty good challenge to our team," said Graham.

Though admitting The Juggernauts are "certainly a team to follow and watch," Rankin Inlet Co-Ed Softball League president Robert Connelly maintains nothing, of course, is set in stone. Regular season teams in Rankin Inlet are switching up players and any of those teams could be a candidate for the tournament dark horse, and then there are the out-of-town teams, who are never to be discounted.

"Baker Lake and Coral Harbour in particular the last couple of years have had really good teams," said Connelly. "I think it's anybody's tournament."

The teams are not only playing for the Calm Air Cup itself, or the accompanying 12-months worth of bragging rights, but for the chance to play in the Nunavut Co-Ed Slo-Pitch Championship in Iqaluit this fall. After coming close last year - down to the wire in the finals against Iqaluit before the win slipped through their hands - the team has caught the scent of victory and is dreaming big this year.

"We've gone there twice so far, and we lost in the final last year to the Iqaluit team," said Graham. "We're looking to get back there and win it this time."

The winners of the Iqaluit games will be invited to the national slo-pitch co-ed championship next year.

"I think there's a very strong desire here within the community to try and not only go to the territorials but to win the territorials," said Connelly.

It's not only the athletes getting excited for the games in Rankin, said Connelly, in large part due to the community's new artificial turf.

"I think this year more than ever there is a lot of excitement about the Calm Air Cup," he said.

Besides the tournament play, onlookers will be treated to skills competitions such as pitching accuracy, a home-run derby, relay throw and double-play ball. For the hungry, there will be food available on site, and for those thirsty for suds, the Royal Canadian Legion will be operating the beer gardens. Other than the beer gardens, the slo-pitch league is co-ordinating events surrounding the tournament, and the games themselves.

There will be cash prizes for winning teams and runner-up teams, though the amounts depend on how many teams sign up and that was not set in stone by press time.

The registration deadline is today, and as of last week, teams from Coral Harbour, Baker Lake and Arviat had expressed interest in attending, with invitations extended to all teams in the Kivalliq region.

Connelly said the league aims to give back all money made at the tournament to the teams.

In addition, there will be three sets of two Calm Air tickets to be won in three separate draws - one for males, one for females and one for the fans.

"We're expecting really good crowds this year," said Connelly.

The opening ceremonies start Friday at 6 p.m., with the first pitch to be thrown by Calm Air president and CEO Gary Beaurivage. Connelly wanted to express thanks to the airline not only for its continued support and sponsorship of the tournament, but for reduced travel rates to and from Rankin Inlet from around the region and parts of Manitoba so that spectators can come and see some ball.

Go to www.nnsl.com/sports for links to updates from the tournament.

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