April Scott-Clarke
april@pdgmedia.ca
If you’re a baseball fan, than Perth is the place to be from July 22 to July 31. The town is playing host to the 2017 Major Provincial Championship Little League tournament, an event coordinated by a small but home-run hitting volunteer committee.
Nine teams of 11- and 12-year-old little league players from across the province, along with their coaches and parents, will descend on Perth for the week. “There will be teams from Toronto, the Hamilton area, Windsor, the Seaway district, the Valley district and two from Ottawa,” tournament committee co-chair Pat Habel said.
This will be the third time in recent memory that Perth has been the host town for the tournament. While experience makes the planning slightly easier, it’s still no small feat to put on a tournament of this magnitude.
“There will be really good baseball happening,” says Habel.
The planning committee of five has been working diligently since January to raise funds and coordinate special events. “It costs $13,000 to put on the tournament,” explains Habel, who says all the funding has come from local businesses. “We’ve had excellent support from the businesses in Perth. About 100 businesses have either donated money or product to make this tournament a success,” she explained.
The opening ceremony is planned for 11:30 on July 22 at Conlon Farm Recreation Complex, where all the games will be held. Players will be piped onto the field with Perth Town Crier Brent McLaren leading the way. Mayor John Fenik will throw the first pitch.
Organizers are encouraging everyone to wear red and white to support the Canada theme that will be at play.
Those that can’t make it to the games will have the opportunity to catch some of the action via a live stream to the tournament’s Facebook page. “We are really excited about that,” said Habel. “It’s a great opportunity for family and friends who can’t come to Perth to see it live.” In total, 10 games will be live streamed, including the semi-finals and final game.
Winners of the final game will have little time to celebrate and soak in their win before they go to the Canadian Regional Championships held in Medicine Hat, Alberta on Aug. 3.
“There will be really good baseball happening,” says Habel.
Admission for all games are free and spectators are encouraged.
This article first appeared in the July issue of Hometown News. Read more of the July issue in our digital version.
