The Fredericton DQ Boys Fastpitch Association (FBFA) is pleased to announce that they have been awarded the 2011 and 2012 Softball Canada Canadian Midget Boys Fast Pitch Championships.
The 2011 event will see between 12 and 16 teams comprised of Canada’s best under-19 male fastpitch players gather at the Prospect Park Softball Complex in Fredericton, New Brunswick between August 8th -14th, 2011.
Started just five years ago with 15 young players, the FBFA was formed to re-establish the sport of fastpitch softball in the city and the province. With over 150 young men and boys from ages 4 to 19 currently playing in the city the FBFA feels that the time was right to take the next step.
“We see the chance to host this premiere youth event in Fredericton as an opportunity to continue to grow the sport in the city, across the province and throughout the Maritimes” says FBFA founder and President Scott Willis. “It’s about profiling the sport at the highest level to allow young men to see just how challenging and exciting the sport of fastpitch can be.”
“There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done before the event”, notes tournament committee Chair Bob Stanton. “This will take a huge effort to ensure these young men experience a first rate tournament. We will be looking to and depending on the community for its support.”
“We’ve already have tremendous encouragement from the City of Fredericton and a positive response from the business community. Without that initial backing, we could never have even considered hosting this event.”
The 2012 event, which will feature players in the under-18 category due to an upcoming change in Softball Canada’s minor age classes, will provide an opportunity for some of the younger FBFA players to showcase their talents at home.
“This years bantams (U-16), and even some older peewee (U-14) players, will provide the bulk of the team hosting in 2012”, notes Willis. “That was exciting to us as we can really provide an opportunity for two age groups to have the opportunity to play in a Canadian Championship in their hometown.”
“We want to provide an opportunity for our players to compete against the best in Canada. This event will go a long way to establish the FBFA as one of the best minor fastpitch associations in the country.”
FBFA minor fastpitch registration continues this weekend, with signups being held Friday, May 7th from 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday, May 8th from 11 am until 2 pm. Both registration sessions will take place at the Northside Dairy Queen on Union Street.
For more information visit http://frederictonfastpitch.ca or email frederictonfastpitch@hotmail.com.
-30-
Information:
Bob Stanton, Chair
2011/2012 Midget Fastpitch Committee
461 8030
Scott Willis, President
FBFA
450 5458
email: frederictonfastpitch@hotmail.com
web: frederictonfastpitch.ca
