The Canada Cup international softball tournament may be in the rearview, but there鈥檚 still some high level ball to be played this weekend.
The 91原创-based Fraser Valley Fusion 鈥03 and 鈥04 squads will be looking to win provincial titles on their home turf when the comes to Brookswood鈥檚 Noel Booth Park from Friday to Sunday (July 21 to 23).
The 13 teams attending include the Victoria Devils 鈥04, Victoria Devils 鈥03, Vancouver Wildcats 鈥03, Coquitlam Classics, Tri-City Titans 鈥04, Surrey Storm 鈥03, White Rock Renegades 鈥03, White Rock Renegades 鈥04, Fraser Valley Fusion 鈥03, Fraser Valley Fusion 鈥04, Ridge Meadows Pride 鈥03, Delta Heat 鈥04, and Delta Heat 鈥03.
This marks the first time that has hosted a U14A Provincials and association president Trevor Moreno anticipates some high level ball as the top 12- to- 14-year-old girls teams in the province converge on Noel Booth with a goal of becoming B.C. champs.
鈥淚t鈥檒l be fantastic,鈥 Moreno said.
Many of the teams involved have already qualified for nationals in Brampton, Ont., so this tournament is very much about provincial bragging rights.
The tournament begins Friday morning with the provincial final set for 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Each team is guaranteed four round robin games, followed by a double knockout playoff round.
Moreno is confident the Fusion teams will do well, but considering the level of competition, believes there are several contenders in the mix.
The opening ceremonies and banquet run from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, and is expected to attract more than 350 people.
Tournament director Dave Duddy said dedicated volunteers, in particular Kathy Weston and Erin Heutink, have been instrumental in preparation for the B.C. championships.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got a couple ladies off the team who have really stepped up big,鈥 Duddy said. 鈥淓rin and Kathy, if it wasn鈥檛 for them, this ain鈥檛 happening.鈥
Looking ahead to the weekend, Fusion 鈥03 manager Rocky Myre said his players have been looking forward to this tournament all season.
Fusion 鈥03 have already punched their ticket to Brampton, and Myre says his team is hungry to bring a B.C. title with them when they travel to Ontario.
鈥淵ou have to bring together a full combination of good spirit, sportsmanship, knowledge of the game, and confidence,鈥 Myre said.
Myre continued: 鈥淲e want to win everything. Like I try to teach the girls: I don鈥檛 play to lose. I play to win. If I lose, it鈥檚 a learning experience, but I play to win.鈥