September 4 Tofield Mercury

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Kids go back to school - Inside!

Your LOCAL Media since 1918! Volume 107 Issue 02

www.tofieldmerc.com

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Ryley and Tofield filled with slo-pitch players

PHOTOS BY KARI JANZEN

A BBOBC player grins as she makes the play at first base to get the third out to end the inning during their first game of the weekend in Ryley on Saturday, August 31 against the Swamp Donkeys. Kari Janzen Staff Reporter Ryley and Tofield were buzzing with slo-pitch players over the September long weekend, with campers and tents even being set up on Thursday, August 29 in anticipation of the 28th annual, three-day Ry-Tof Slo-pitch tournament, hosted by the Tofield Agricultural Society and the Beaver Heritage and Ag Society. The weather was hot and sunny, with temperatures in the high 20s all weekend. Local teams included the HomeTime Hooligans, Misfits, Big Hitties, BBOBC, and the Screamin’ Seagulls. Each team was guaranteed five games, as round robin games were played on Saturday and Sunday before finals

began on Monday. The tournament can host a maximum of 80 teams, and this year 76 teams registered, which is slightly less than last year’s 78. Main organizer Vanita Eglauer said the funds raised from this tournament go towards the facilities that the Ag societies run. “Proceeds from this event are split between the two Ag societies and support the facilities they own and operate. The Beaver Heritage and Ag Society operates the Ryley Pool, and Tofield Ag Society operates the Tofield Arena,” she said. Twelve diamonds are needed for the tournament, with six in Ryley, five in Tofield, and one in Lindbrook. “The tournament uses six diamonds in each community. Ryley includes two

A Home-Time Hooligans player fields the ball during their game against the Liquor Pigs in Tofield on Saturday. diamonds on the schoolgrounds as well as the four diamonds on their sportsgrounds. Tofield uses their four sportsgrounds diamonds, the Lindbrook diamond, and the schoolgrounds when needed,” Eglauer said. The very first Ry-Tof tournament was held in 1996 with 42 teams, when the Tofield and Beaver Heritage Ag Societies decided to bring the Harvest Klassik back to life. “Slo-pitch was a popular sport in the mid-1990s, and in 1996 the Tofield Ag Society & Beaver Heritage and Ag Society had a desire to revive an event formerly known as the ‘Harvest Klassik’ as a fundraising activity for the communities,” the Tales of Tofield book says. “The two Ag Societies have cooperated

to host this event every year since. After years of growing demand to enter this ‘Ry-Tof Tournament,’ in 2008 the tournament expanded to 80 teams.” “The tournament was not held in 2020 or 2021 due to covid, but returns for the 28th year this year,” Eglauer said. There were cash prizes for each winner of the round robin games, as well as for the top four teams in the 10 events on Monday. A dance was held on Saturday in Tofield, and in Ryley on Sunday. “Like most major events, there is a small army of volunteers that help make this tournament happen!” Eglauer said.


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