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Canadian Native Fastball Championships coming to Cranbrook
The Arrows are still flying.
Based out of Invermere, the B.C. Arrows have been one of Canada’s most successful fastball teams, capturing a raft of North American Native Fastball Championships in the past two decades and last year, the Canadian Native Fastball Championships.
As the winning team last year, the Arrows also won the right to host this year’s event, which they are bringing to Cranbrook between August 2 and 5.
Led by Shuswap Band economic development director Dean Martin, the Arrows are running the tournament in conjunction with the St. Mary Indian Band.
Band Chief Cheryl Casimer appeared before City of Cranbrook council April 2 to share the news of the tournament coming to the city.
“It’s a high caliber tournament,” Casimer said, noting there are several dozen men’s and women’s teams, with tournament purses of $10,000 available.
“It is quite a huge tournament we are looking forward to having here,” she said, before asking the city to allow for an extension of the lighting time at the Kinsmen Quads. The lights normally shut off at 10 p.m. but because of the number of teams in the tourney, which will also be played at Moir Park, it is a certainty that some games will go beyond that time.
“They’re most likely going to have to play around the clock,” Casimer said, adding the mayor and council are invited to the opening ceremonies.
City council members were enthusiastic and supportive of the tournament.
“What a great opportunity,” said Coun. Denise Pallesen, adding she’s seen the Arrows in action. “They are amazing! I wish you good luck and thanks for bringing it to us.”
Casimer said the tournament organizing committee members “are really excited” to get the games underway.
Coun. Diana J Scott noted it will be an unexpected boon to Cranbrook’s coffers as “August is a little bare” when it comes to community events. “It’s a perfect time to have an influx of people to our area,” she said, suggesting to tourney organizers to canvas the neighbourhoods around the diamonds “to let people know” what will be happening.
The Canadian Native Fastball Championships website notes that the annual tournament, held last year in Winnipeg, attracts 1,100 athletes and “approximately 5,000 visitors annually.”
“Way to go! This is going to be first rate,” exclaimed Coun. Angus Davis.
For more on the tournament go to: https://www.nativefastball.ca/host.php .
Above image of the BC Arrows from nativefastball.ca.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
