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2018 Junior Men's World Softball Championship
Prince Albert welcomes 14 countries this July at the 2018 Junior Men's Softball World Championship
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July 7th to 15th, 2018
Photo by Connie Joinson
Play ball! The first pitch of the 12th Junior Men’s Softball World Championship flies on July 7th in Prince Albert. Spectators will see action packed games featuring teams from 14 countries including Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, India, Denmark, South Africa, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Japan. In addition to showcasing the world’s best junior men’s softball players, the nine-day tournament, at newly upgraded Prime Ministers’ Park, will feature local cuisine and food trucks, a clothing & gift shop, exciting game action, and so much more. Get your tickets today for the event of the summer!
Over three years of hard work and anticipation culminates this July as Prince Albert welcomes teams from 14 countries to compete for the title of world champions at the Junior Men’s World Softball Championship. It will be one of the largest scale events ever hosted in the city. “The World Championship is the first ever for Prince Albert and something that as a community we can all come together and hang our hat on,” says Ian Litzenberger, chair of Project Triple Play.
Photo by Connie Joinson
The city was awarded the Championship by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) in October 2015. The hard work and dedication of the Aallcann Developmental Fastpitch Organization and the City of Prince Albert made the event possible. The organization developed Project Triple Play in 2014 to ensure the continued growth of softball in the community. Phase one of the project was successfully hosting the 2015 U16 Boys Canadian Championships.
Phase two is funding the upgrades and expansion at Prime Ministers' Park to the tune of $1.6 million. “A new feature diamond was constructed and improvements to the existing diamonds will be completed in advance of the event. The improvements have included features such as new lighting, expanded dimensions, and upgraded amenities,” explains Jody Boulet, Director of Community Services for the City of Prince Albert. He also adds that the upgrades were essential to meet the WBSC’s standards for hosting such an event. The commitment to these upgrades earned Prince Albert the right to host the 2018 Junior Men's Worlds, the final component of Project Triple Play.
Photo by Connie Joinson
“The facility will be second to none, allowing us to not only put on one heck of a show for this tournament but to be able to host any softball tournament,” says Litzenberger. Both he and Boulet note the enhancements made to the diamonds are not only beneficial for attracting and hosting future events but for the overall community. “The world-class diamonds will be available for Minor Sport Organizations to use throughout the course of the year and will assist in developing players and coaches for years to come,” says Boulet.
The event’s legacy and the $1.6 million investment in facility upgrades will impact Prince Albert and area moving forward. It presents opportunities for Prince Albert to attract Provincial, National, and International events, grow the sport locally, and bolster the City’s reputation for high-end facilities and hosting world-class events. Anticipation for the event is building and Litzenberger is excited to see it come to fruition, “we’re honoured to bring this event to Prince Albert.” An estimated 30,000 people will visit Prince Albert over the duration of the tournament. ADFO anticipates the event will generate a $12 million economic impact for the province, $8 million of that right in Prince Albert. “It definitely will be an event that should be on everyone's calendar and one that shouldn't be missed,” he adds.
Photo by Connie Joinson
For more information or to purchase tournament ticket packages and day passes visit www.jrsoftballworlds2018. com.
Photo by Connie Joinson
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