Simcoe, ON - -Â International softball tourney comes to Simcoe park
Nick Shales, originally from Australia, is one of the best hitters in the world. Shales and his family have moved to Waterford and he is now the Hill United Chiefs shortstop. Contributed photo
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ORIGINAL STORY by Ashley Taylor
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Simcoe will be host to an international men’s fastball tournament at the end of this month.
The event, being hosted by the Hill United Chiefs, will be taking place at the Lions Ball Park in Simcoe from June 28 through 30.
The Hill United Chiefs, based out of Six Nations, are four time International Softball Congress (ISC) World Champions. They have partnered with the Simcoe U16 team to host the event. The Simcoe Braves Bantam team was the 2018 Canadian Champions.
Eight of the best softball clubs in the world will be playing in Simcoe, and the public is being invited to watch.
The lineup of teams includes the reigning ISC World Champion, the New York Gremlins, the 2018 runner-up team from Denmark, Wisconsin, Circle Tap Dukes, the number five ranked team from Pennsylvania, Bear Bottom Lodge, and Top 10 ranked Ontario teams, the Kitchener Hallman Cubs, the Toronto Batmen, the Niagara Stompers, and the Hill United Chiefs. The Ohsweken Redmen will be looking to show the world ranked teams what they have to offer.
“Small towns are the backbone of softball across Ontario and much of the world,†said tournament chair and Chiefs field manager, Larry Lynch. “Simcoe has a jewel of a park, a very strong local commitment to youth softball, as shown by the Braves success, and it is one of the best spots you could ever ask for to host a major tournament event.â€
The World Championships are taking place in the Czech Republic this month, and all of the players that will be in Simcoe will travel from the Czech Republic to Canada for this competition.
Tickets for the full weekend are $20, or they can be purchased by day. Tickets for Friday are $5, and tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $10 each.
There will be a barbecue and beer garden on site.
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