akeside Leader The Annual Widewater Sports ball weekend is fast approaching, marking 49 years of the event and the beginning of several weeks of all things baseball related.
From Friday June 20, to Sunday the 23, senior baseball teams, co-ed slow pitch and minor baseball are invited to Widewater’s Southshore Complex for three days of camping, playing and watching baseball. As are fans, friends and family.
Harry Bartlett, a man with a long time love of the sport in all its variations, dropped into The Leader office giddy with excitement. There is a lot of baseball in his near future.
“Next year is the 50th anniversary of the ball weekend. That’ll be the big one to celebrate, but we’re hoping to round up some interest right now for this year’s event,” said Bartlett. “So far, we’ve got four senior baseball teams and could use more. And, we’ll be looking for lots of 6/4 Co-Ed slow pitch teams. Admission for both senior and slow pitch teams is $250. We are hoping for minor teams to come also, and they play for free. All teams are invited!”
If sliding into to home or stealing bases isn’t for you, Bartlett says there may be bocce ball and maybe horseshoes too.
This is the first year that the event is not held on “Farmers day” – a now defunct holiday. The past few years have seen some ugly weather, so the group has decided to move the dates forward a few weeks in the hopes of snagging some sunshine.
Adult spectators can expect to pay $5 a day, seniors and kids under 12 pay only $3, and, says Barlett, and 90 per cent of the entry fees go to the prize pool. Contact Harry at 849-4042 or 805-0482 for information or registration.
Again, all these events are really a precursor for the big one, the granddaddy of all ball weekends; The 50th Annual Widewater Sports ball weekend in 2009. It will be a reunion of sorts. Anyone who has played, umped or participated in any way over the years is invited.
Also on the bill for the 50th birthday is a grudge match. The return of longstanding fastball rivals the Swan Valley Sodbusters versus the Slave Lake North Stars.
Harry Bartlett reported hearing that the ‘Busters had never once beaten the Stars, but we like to root for the underdog here, so Go Sodbusters!
There are rumours of fireworks and perhaps even a demolition derby for the big birthday. That’s all slated for June 2009, but you can get in the spirit this year by contacting Harry at 849-4042

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