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Charity the name of the game for Crofton slo-pitch tournament participants

Crofton Fire Department event benefits three recipients
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Fingertip pitching control is exhibited by Daryl Relke of the 4 Skins in Crofton Charity Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament action. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Everyone’s a winner at the Crofton Fire Department’s Charity Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament.

The annual event Saturday and Sunday at the Crofton Ball Park brought together 14 teams. There were victorious teams on the field in game action, of course, but members of all 14 contributed to an anticipated windfall of around $4,000.

That money, when the final total is tabulated, will be distributed among the Victoria Burn Unit, Muscular Dystrophy and the Chemainus Crofton Community Schools Association.

“It’s probably one of the better weekends we’ve had,” said fire department member and tournament director Rick Smith.

“We couldn’t have asked for better weather - not too hot, not too cold.”

The tournament has been played during both extremes in the past so conditions in the middle were just great.

Tator Tots were the A Division champions in a battle of local teams over the Middle’s Open on the mercy rule after five innings. Islanders won the B Division and Pender Island the C Division.

Prizes and cash were awarded to the top teams, but the charitable nature of the tournament was reflected in the generosity of players.

“They always hand back the cash which is nice of them to give to our charities,” pointed out Smith.

Pancake Batters of Powell River returned their 50/50 draw winnings.

Altering the format proved to be a smooth move. Some tournaments get bogged down with statistics such as number of bases touched, runs for and against, and other calculations, but there was none of that.

“We changed the tournament to make it more of an easier draw to figure out,” said Smith.

“You win, you advance. You lose, you go down. Everyone was guaranteed three games and it just depends on how you do. Some teams played probably six games.”

All the players went home happy with the way they spent their weekend.

“Everything was awesome,” summed up Smith.

Red Arrow Brewing from Duncan was a big help to the full force of Crofton fire department members who worked at the tournament.

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Brilliant batting is displayed by Britnie Hearsey of the 4 Skins. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Jordan Crocker of the 4 Skins puts the bat on the ball to make solid contact in the Crofton Fire Department’s Charity Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Daryl Relke directs his hit toward right field. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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High fives all around for the 4 Skins. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Maegan Edwards of the Challengers has her eye on an empty space for placing the ball with her batting prowess. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Kevin Miller leads the high fives for the 4 Skins at the Crofton Fire Department’s Charity Mixed Slo-Pitch Tournament. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Kevin Miller tees off on the ball. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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