The Sooke hosted U19C Girls Provincials on July 6-8 proved to be a success.
Sandra Nelson, Sooke Minor Fastball president, said she received positive feedback regarding the large tournament, which saw 18 teams from around the province participate.
“Everything went really smoothly,” she said, adding the large cohort of out-of-towners benefited local busineses.
“I know that businesses around the community felt the influx because I’ve spoken to some of the people that work in those businesses,” Nelson said. “I guess it was a fairly busy weekend in the community with all these people around.”
An estimated 500 people were expected to be around Art Morris Park and Stan Jones field for the provincials.
Sooke had two teams participate, the Sooke Hustlers, who entered through a hosting buy-in, and the Sooke Outcasts, who entered through a berth. The Outcasts earned second place in their district playoffs.
Despite their efforts, Nelson said neither of Sooke’s teams made it beyond the Round Robin games.
“Sooke didn’t make it into the semi-finals at all. They didn’t make the top 18, but they put up a valiant effort. They did well.”
The first place winners were the Fleetwood Outlaws, second place was the Nanaimo Nitros and third place was Peninsula Power.
To prepare for the Provincials, the SMFA revamped Art Morris Park, powerwashing and painting bleachers and fixing fencing.
The association also received a work grant from the Island Equipment Operators Association, which added new road base around the park, and new sand in each of the ball-diamond in-fields. The value of the project was an estimated $6,000.