Softball Canada Returns to Capital City in 2013

Softball Canada Returns to Capital City in 2013 with U18 Women’s Fast Pitch Championship

Charlottetown, PEI, May 28, 2012 – Softball Canada recently awarded Charlottetown the hosting rights for its 2013 U18 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship, making this the third time the provincial capital will welcome the national sport organization in four years.

“Our city is humbled and excited to have the opportunity to host this prestigious national women’s fast pitch championship; welcoming Softball Canada, participating athletes, their families and fans to Charlottetown in 2013,” said Mayor Clifford Lee. “For a city of our size, we are fortunate to have all of the right elements in place – from the infrastructure, to a strong volunteer base, to a host committee with the right knowledge and expertise – to attract major events such as the U18 Women’s Fast Pitch Champions, offering a platform to showcase sport on the highest level possible.  We look forward to working with Softball Canada again along with the many partners involved to stage what will be another highly successful national softball championship.”

The U18 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship (formerly the midget girls event) has been played since 1980. Since 2000, the average number of provincial teams participating in the event is 8 with a maximum of 16 teams participating as of recent years. The last 2 years, Softball Canada has made a special exception to the maximum number of teams, increasing the maximum to 18 teams. The calibre of softball ball being played by this age category is quite exceptional as many players have already received scholarships from colleges or universities in the United States. The Championship also acts as a great stepping stone for Softball Canada’s senior and junior women’s national teams.

“Softball Canada is extremely pleased to be working with the City of Charlottetown once again,” said Mike Branchaud, Manager of Canadian Championships and Competition Services for Softball Canada. “There is a strong history of great Softball Canada events played in Charlottetown with the most recent being the 2010 Senior Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship and the 2009 U19 International Men’s Fast Pitch Championship. With a great Committee in place as well as an outstanding volunteer base, Softball Canada is looking forward to another very successful championship in 2013.”

Alan Petrie, President of Softball PEI is thrilled with Softball Canada’s decision to award the 2013 U18 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship to the City of Charlottetown and the Host committee chaired by Lance Jones. “Charlottetown will be host to some of the best U18 female softball players in Canada. I know Island softball fans will be at the ball fields cheering on our athletes as they vie for the national U18 Women’s Fast Pitch title in 2013.”

Charlottetown continues to evolve as a leader in Canada’s sport tourism industry, successfully attracting numerous high-profile regional, national and international sport events annually through SCORE! – Charlottetown’s highly recognized and respected sport tourism brand.

“Sport tourism has become a driving force in our municipal economy bringing numerous participants that fill our hotel rooms, restaurants and retail shops,” added Mayor Lee. “Hosting sport events, such as the U18 Women’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship, also presents a tremendous opportunity to showcase all that our city has to offer as a destination encouraging return tourism visitation.”

The Championship will be hosted at the Central Field Complex from August 22nd-30th, 2013.

For more information on SCORE!, visit www.scorecharlottetown.com.

For more information on Softball Canada, visit www.softball.ca.

Backgrounder:
SCORE! is a project of the City of Charlottetown developed to grow the sport tourism industry in Charlottetown. The City realizes the value of the events sector and has placed a high priority on sport events to stimulate tourism, economic and cultural growth.

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Media Contact:
Wayne Long
Events Development Officer
City of Charlottetown
p. 902.629.0496
e. wlong@charlottetown.ca

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