Sooke came up just a tad short in this year’s Sooke Invitational Slo-Pitch Tournament on B.C. Day long weekend.
Victoria teams: the Jackhammers, VIH Vortices and Gazoos, placed first, second and third in the A division netting prizes of $1,000, $800 and $400, respectively.
“The three top teams are tournament teams,” said Jason Dumont, Hawks player and Spokesman. “We didn’t stack up too bad against them.”
The Hawks were the local heros in fourth place and also winning $400 -- Dumont pointed out third and fourth place don’t go to a playoff.
His team fought a valiant battle against the Vortices, eventually succumbing 12-8 but it wasn’t without lighting up their pitcher a few times.
“Our team hit a lot of bombs out of the park -- six homers,” said Dumont.
Only 24 teams played in the tournament this year, which is a handful shy of enrollment most other years. He attributed the lower registration numbers to a couple of other slo-pitch tournaments happening around town at the same time, and out-of-town teams like Kelowna not making the trek to the Island this summer.
Other notable rankings: The Mob from Victoria walked away with $450 and B division honours; and in the C division, Ash Souls reigned supreme with a $375 pot.
In the playoffs preceding the tournament, the A division Dawg Lb beat the Crows, and the Jammers won over Half Baked in the Bs.
The Sooke Slo-Pitch Association is already looking towards next season, and Dumont said they can always use more players, teams and umpires. You can reach him at 250-744-8852 if interested.
A division winners:
1) Jackhammers
2) VIH Vortices
3) Gazoos
4) Hawks
B division winners:
1) Mob
2) Dawg Lb
3) Lowered Expectations
4) Ice
C division winners:
1) Ash Souls
2) Crows
3) Gamblers
4) Crush