Softball provincials coming to Medicine Hat

By KELLEN TANIGUCHI on July 9, 2021.

ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@@kellentaniguchi

The Medicine Hat Minor Softball Association is hosting the U19B and U14B female provincial championships this year, bringing 18 Alberta teams to the city over the span of two weekends.

The U19B championships are during the August long weekend, while the U14B tournament runs from Aug. 13-15.

“Originally, Medicine Hat had been granted the provincial bid for 2020 and then when provincials were cancelled, they carried forward our bid for 2021,” said Michelle Campbell, MHMSA president. “It didn’t really look like it was going to go ahead. A few months ago we didn’t even think we’d have games, let alone the opportunity to host provincials.”

The original bid was for four provincial championships, but the MHMSA dropped to two championships due to time constraints, says Campbell.

“Because hosting is such a huge undertaking and it’s a huge financial undertaking, we decided to scale it back,” she said. “It’s an undertaking but we know it’s a great opportunity and it’s one we’re willing to put in the works for our community, and hopefully our community will support us through sponsorship, attendance or word of mouth.”

Campbell says there is a diamond sponsorship starting at $5,000 ranging to a bronze sponsorship running at $500. She adds they had two gold sponsorships come in on Thursday from Alberta Wide Virtual Accounting and Cascade Energy Services. Diamond and gold sponsorship opportunities will close July 16 and those interested can reach out to Campbell at michelle@medhatminorsoftball.ab.ca.

Financials, exposure and umpire development is the three-part goal for hosting provincials, says Campbell. There is a shortage of umpires in the city and province and the umpires coming into the city for provincials can provide mentorship to umpires in the Hat to help grow the game, Campbell adds.

The Hat hosted provincials in 2019 with 40 teams coming in to play. The total economic impact in Medicine Hat was $860,000 in 2019, however Campbell says these upcoming tournaments will bring in half the teams.

“I have teams messaging me asking for hotel suggestions, camping suggestions,” said Campbell. “With having nine teams coming each weekend, it’s going to be a lot of people over those two weekends that are hopefully going to come watch some great ball, see our beautiful city – it’ll be a good thing.”

The championship weekends will be at the Moose Community Ball Complex and Campbell says the U12B team won provincials at home in 2019 and some players from that team are now on the U14B team. She says based on the play this year, she expects local teams to be competitive.

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