Photo: dreamstime.com

By Shane Clausing

fastball provincials

Pirates gearing up to host Alberta fastball provincials

Aug 16, 2021 | 5:39 PM

The Grande Prairie Pirates girls fastball team will be hosting the Alberta fastball provincial championship from August 20-22 at the South Bear Creek Park baseball diamonds.

The tournament will feature several U12D and U19D teams from across the province.

Getting the provincial championship to Grande Prairie has been a long time coming for members of the Pirates. Prior to the summer of 2020, Grande Prairie had been without a fastball team to play on for 15 years.

Ashley Porterfield, the Executive Director for the Pirates, says they’re looking forward to welcoming teams from across the province to Grande Prairie for a busy tournament.

“There will be 14 fastball games total. We have the U12’s playing against Lacombe and St. Paul, and the U19’s will be playing against Fort Saskatchewan and Airdrie,” explained Porterfield.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“We just have the games going on at South Bear, we’re also working along with the GP Night Market, so the food trucks will be there earlier in the day.”

According to Porterfield, getting to the provincial championship was a bit of a challenge because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, there were fewer teams in Alberta that could play this year.

During the tournament, U12 teams will play on diamond one, while the U19 teams will play on diamond two. The opening ceremonies take place starting at 9:30 a.m. on August 20.

Since relaunching the fastball league after 15 years, Porterfield says the sport has grown drastically in Grande Prairie.

“Our first year we had 42 players and then this year we’re at 105 players. We had a U18 team, two U10 and U12 teams, a U14 and U19 team,” she said.

Players on the Pirates fastball teams competing in provincials have also seen success.

Several members of the U19 Pirates earned a silver medal at the Alberta Indigenous Games this past weekend, while some members of the U12 Pirates won gold at the games.

Porterfield mentions they’re on the lookout for volunteers to help out with the tournament.

Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact the Pirates on Facebook.