Lloydminster Liners will be bringing their A-game this weekend as they play host to Alberta teams for the Provincial Softball Championships, July 30 to August 2.
Local teams have been getting a good build up so far bringing in some gold and silver hardware at the Girls Prairie League Softball (GPLS) level.
Donnie Atkinson, Head Coach with the U19 Lloydminster Liners says it great to have competitive sports back in the Midwest.
“The U12 program; they’re very talented. It’s really fun to watch that age and the excitement is just unbelievable. The skill level at U12 is impressive. The U19 side; it is the highest level of fastball you can watch on the girls game. A lot of these girls are going off to College right after this tournament, so there is a high level of pitching and hitting. It’s very well run and very competitive”
Red Deer was initially supposed to host this weekend’s tournament, but they passed the torch and Lloydminster was happy to play host. The U19 games run Saturday to Monday and the U12’s are Friday to Sunday.
First games will see Lloydminster U12 up against the Sherwood Park Storm on Friday at 1 pm., with the Opening Ceremony slated at 4 p.m. The Local U19’s play their first game against Calgary Adrenaline Black on Saturday at 3 p.m. All games are at the Legion Ball Park.
With Canada having claimed bronze at the Olympics in Softball, Atkinson admits that local teams have a lot to gauge themselves by and aim for as they hit the diamond over the holiday weekend.
“I think giving them something to shoot for is [important]. Obviously, the College game which is the first step, but then knowing you can do something with your softball after you are done playing your minors is a huge motivator for a lot of these girls and the competitive level is getting higher and higher. There will bea Lloydminster or area born player on the [Canada] Olympic team soon.”
A full look at the schedule can be found on the Softball Alberta homepage.