Crofton firefighters are used to the heat so department members didn’t mind enduring toasty temperatures throughout the weekend for the return of the Crofton Fire Department Charity Ball Tournament.
“I’d rather have the heat than the rain,” conceded Rick Smith, the head of the organizing team, who umpired games himself virtually non-stop Saturday and Sunday.
Everyone involved as a player or a volunteer conceded it was great to have the tournament back after a one-year hiatus. Twelve teams participated.
“Once I put the word out the tournament’s back on again, it was very quick to fill up,” said Smith.
“I think everyone likes this one. It’s a lot of fun.”
It’s also held on the very picturesque, but underutilized two diamonds at the Crofton Ball Park. “It’s a hidden gem,” marvelled Smith.
The Green Team of Duncan was the overall winner, coming back through the loser’s bracket and playing eight games in two days to take the title and the $500 top prize that was immediately donated back for the charities.
Rockers of Saltair finished in second place. Timberman of Saltair won the B final over 4 Skins, a local group, and Riot topped the C Division.
But the big winners were the charities.
Food proceeds went to Ride To Conquer Cancer and amounted to around $1,400 combined with a previous beer and burger fundraiser. The proceeds from the beer garden, entry fees and all the prize money and 50-50 draws that were given back amounted to about $4,000.
“Everyone understands it’s for charity so they kind of gave the money back,” noted Smith. “It started a long time ago and kind of continued on.”
Some of the money was earmarked for the historical society. “We’re trying to redo the original firetruck at the hall,” Smith indicated.
It would appear in parades and be a general museum piece of Crofton history.
Funds are also being directed to the Chemainus Crofton Community Schools’ Association.
“We hand out bursaries to the kids every year as well as two IPads to the Crofton students, the Grade 7s, that meet a certain criteria the school sets out,” Smith pointed out.
The tournament is great for the ball players and the community. Another hiatus is not something anyone wants to see again in the future.
“Long as I’m here, it’s going to be here,” Smith stressed.