Slo-pitch teams ready to batter-up
Territorial championships start this weekend
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 2, 2015
INUVIK
Women's softball teams from around the region are gearing up for the annual territorial slo-pitch championships - and hoping to take down three-time winners, the Inuvik Benchwarmers.
Chelsea Larocque of the Inuvik Benchwarmers runs the bases during last year's territorial slo-pitch tournament. - photos courtesy of Inuvik Slo-Pitch Association
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The Benchwarmers took home the crown last year with a 30-2 win over Pitches be Crazy and will be vying for the title again along with five other teams.
Despite the oft-times heated competition, Jeffery Amos says it's all about the spirit of the game. Amos coaches Inuvik's other team, the Amierco Angels, and says the event is something the community looks forward to each year.
"We've got some die-hard fans out there," he said with a laugh.
"There's a couple of elders who are in their 80s and they're always out - even if it's freezing cold or sweating hot, they're cheering for their favourite players and favourite teams."
He said interest in hosting a women's championship event started a few years ago when one of the Inuvik teams attended a national slo-pitch tournament. Now the territorials here act as a qualifier.
"It's all about prestige and bragging rights and just the chance to get out and travel and explore," he said.
In small communities like Inuvik, Aklavik and Fort McPherson, baseball and softball is a huge part of the summer, says Amos, who has played since he was in junior high school.
"It's a really fun tournament because it gets a lot of women out to play - even though it's competitive we get a lot of camaraderie," he said.
"I've been competing most of my life in a lot of sports, and winning is good but it's mostly just the opportunity to play, see other people and meet old friends and new friends - I'm really looking forward to the weekend."
Teams registered include the Amierco Angels, the Benchwarmers, McCarthy Services Shamrocks, the Aklavik Dirty Divas and Rebecca's Rowdy Roses.
The territorial championships will be held July 3 to 7 at the Inuvik ball diamonds. A skills competition will also be held that day.
