National fastpitch softball championship in St. John's helps 'grow the game,' says association

A national fastpitch championship held in St. John's over the weekend saw 18 teams descend on the province, which advocates for the sport called a boon for softball in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The 2022 Men's and Master Men's Canadian Fastpitch Championship, hosted by Softball Newfoundland and Labrador, was held at the Caribou Memorial Softball Complex from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

For Softball N.L., hosting the five-day tournament was a success, says president Gary Corbett.

"It gives an opportunity to really grow the game of fastpitch softball in our province," said Corbett.

"It gives an opportunity not only for the fans to see the level, minor people to be encouraged to where they would like to be."

The 37th annual championships were initially planned for 2020 but had to be postponed twice due to the pandemic.

The sporting event started off with a total of 18 teams — 12 in the men's and six in the master's division. Out of those 18 teams, four were from Newfoundland and Labrador: CoolBet Hitmen, The Big's Physio and Co., and DC Galway Hitmen all competed in the men's division, while East Coast Mortgage Brokers Hitmen played for the title in the master's division.

All but The Big's Physio and Co. made it into the championship games on Sunday.

Tournament director Ivan Hapgood says a few factors contribute to the national success of provincial teams.

"Our players now, I mean, they travel to some strong competitive tournaments. That's certainly very important and they're well [acclimatized] toward what's taking place," said Hapgood.

"But the big thing, I would suggest, over the years has been maintaining a good strong senior and intermediate league here in the province."

Corbett echoes this. He says the success of provincial