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Senior fastball event starts Thursday (new)

Labour Day Weekend is on the horizon so that can mean only one thing. It’s time for another world senior fastball championship and the 18th annual starts Thursday night with five games.
Labour Day Weekend is on the horizon so that can mean only one thing.

It’s time for another world senior fastball championship and the 18th annual starts Thursday night with five games. The tournament is hosted by the North Bay Senior Men’s Fastball League.

North Bay teams kick off the tournament with Don Cherry’s meeting Beef ‘N’ Brand, Troy Field and King Henry’s playing Fionn McCool’s, Johnson Field, at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s honourary chairman is Bud Alcorn, who will be honoured posthumously Friday during the opening ceremonies, starting at 7 p.m. at Troy Field.

Alcorn played in the North Bay Men’s Senior Fastball League for several years and passed away in October, 2003. In fact, he was one of the original organizers of the senior fastball league in the middle 1980s and also played and coached.

His widow Betty and daughters Jane, Linda and Patti as well as their families will take part in the ceremonies.

Thirty-two teams are entered including a pair of teams that passed up an opportunity to compete in the Canadian masters championships, scheduled for this weekend.

Cold Spring Cats finished third in the Ontario masters championships in July while Oshawa Ravens, who have won the ‘AAA’ title in North Bay three times including last year, have also taken a pass on the Canadian event.

“Both clubs feel our team lineup is stronger,” said tournament co-chair Jack Green.

Green also said that the 18-year tournament has also provided an excellent vehicle for many businesses, especially motels and restaurants with so many out-of-town teams taking part.

“We have also provided financial support to a number of charities over the years including Big Brothers, The Sunshine Foundation, Rotary for Kids, The Nipissing Association for Disabled Youth, The Moose Factory Research and Rescue Fund and the Terry Fox Run,” Green added.

“The tournament has also been an excellent opportunity for numerous swim, soccer and slo-pitch teams to raise money for traveling to tournaments through the services they have provided at our canteen and with field maintenance,” he said.

Other Thursday night games are Casey’s vs Powassan, Troy, 7:45 p.m.; Callander vs Farquhar, Johnson, 7:45 p.m. and Garden Village vs 22 Wing Silver Foxes, 9 p.m., Troy.

The A final will be played Sunday at 2:30 p.m. followed by the AA final. Both games are at Troy Field.
Besides Troy and Johnson Fields, games will also be played, starting Friday at CFB and Centennial Fields.

Tournament programs will be available at Troy Field Thursday night.