Bragging rights for the best Pee Wee softball team in Canada will be decided here next summer.
Softball Canada has announced the 2017 U14 Canadian Fastpitch Championship tournament has been awarded to the Town of Minto.
The host team will be the Palmerston Imperials Pee Wee Boys Team, which plays out of the North Waterloo Softball League.
“We believe we have a team that can compete,” said team official Wayne Martin, who advised Minto council of the announcement at the Oct. 20 meeting.
Martin noted the application process began more than a year ago and he thanked the town for municipal support of the bid.
The championship tournament will be held Aug. 9 to 13.
While the games will be played primarily at the Barb Wright and Kinsmen ball diamonds in Palmerston, Martin said ball fields in Harriston and Clifford may also be used for games or as practice facilities.
Councillor Ron Elliott asked Martin if local ball facilities would require upgrades in order to host the event.
“I feel quite comfortable with what we can do,” said Martin, who has attended several national championship tournaments.
“I know our facilities; compared to one of the larger centres that we played at, we’re way above what they are.”
Martin said Palmerston has a good reputation as the host site of numerous tournaments in the past.
However, he noted, “We definitely have to add stuff and do some grooming, hopefully upgrade the infield a little bit.”
“We’ll have to ensure they are in top-notch shape for an event like this,” agreed Mayor George Bridge.
Scoreboards, possibly rented, will have to be brought in to meet Softball Canada standards, Martin noted.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell asked if sufficient accommodations are available in the area for visitors.
Martin said organizers are working to “keep it as local as possible,” but are looking at some facilities as far away as St. Jacobs.
“We think we can accommodate most of the teams (at motels) down Highway 23 between Palmerston and Listowel.”
Councillor Ron Elliott congratulated organizers on landing the event.
“I think it’s something we’ve never had in Palmerston … a national event and very few communities can say they’ve had that – so it’s quite a coup for our community,” said Elliott.
Bridge said, “From an economic development standpoint, having a national thing, just the exposure we’ll get in our area will be big; not quite as big as the IPM, but it will be another feather in our cap.
“It’s a big win for the town.”
Elliott asked Martin how many people the event could attract.
“My answer to that is we really don’t know. Last year Shallow Lake hosted in Owen Sound and their gate receipts were $15,000. If the local team gets to the end things keep building,” replied Martin.
Opening ceremonies for the tournament will be held on Aug. 9. Aug. 13 will be championship Sunday.
Admission will be $5 per day and $20 for the week while children under 12 will be admitted free.
Martin noted volunteers will be needed to run the tournament and a few groups have already offered to help.
For more information contact Wayne Martin at 519-343-3808 or Joel Martin at 226-885-0250.
