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Now that I have your attention: Tournaments of interest

by daylightkate » Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:42 pm

Here's just a few larger tournaments of interest.

May 30 - June 1, 2008
One of the USFA World Series Qualifiers is happening just down the street from me this spring. We do get some US teams up to play for an opportunity to win a berth in Panama City. However, I wouldn't call it one of our largest tournies as they suggest.
http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=usfapartners

July 3 - 6 2008
The Montreal Challenge
or otherwise knows as the Cooper Challenge in Montreal is another excellent tournament that is if you choose a week long. Girls love participating in it and there is always a Canada vs. USA all Star game. Teams are asked to submit their top player and they form two teams to create All Star Teams.
http://www.montrealchallenge.com/

Canada Cup in Surrey BC July 2008
July 12 - 20, 15th Canada Cup International Women's Fastpitch Tournament
July 14 - 20, 7th Canada Cup International Fastpitch Futures Tournament
July 14 - 20, 4th Canada Cup 16 & Under Fastpitch Showcase Tournament
July 17 - 20, 11th Canada Cup Special Olympics Friendship Division Tournament
http://www.canadacup.com
daylightkate
 
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by Inthestands » Tue Apr 07, 2015 6:02 am

How things change over a few years.

The Montreal Challenge that used to bring teams from Ontario, Quebec and the Northeastern US is no more. Although successful in all areas it was privately run and the organizers just got tired of doing it.

USFA World Series qualifiers is gone and became a USSSA event run by two ball associations in Mississauga Ontario...the largest of the suburban cities around Toronto and one of Canada's biggest cities in its own right. It crashed an burned when two years ago a new president was elected to the larger of the two organizations and fought with the other and the partnership was ended. Last year saw the Canadian World Series of Softball (CWSS) come out of this organization and run by its new president. The result was a disaster and the tournament was widely panned for all sorts of faults...the president was relieved of his duties. The CWSS is slated to continue this year but it is unclear whether it is has much of a following at this point, with no entries on its web page and no announcements since the initial registration announcement back in the winter,

The Canada Cup is still going but the format has changed and it is somewhat more streamlined. It draws mostly from (the Canadian side) British Columbia and a few teams from the western provinces. Once and a while an Ontario team or two will make the trip. It is widely attended by US west coast teams. It is controlled by Softball Canada (Canada's equivalent to ASA) at this stage. There was talk of it ending a couple of years ago and that is where SBC stepped up to be more front and centre.

As for the rest of the landscape. Ontario and its sole governing body continues to struggle despite a huge population base. Restrictive and punitive rules for teams and players have led to many underground activities especially when it comes to playing across the border into the US. An outright ban on private tournaments has recently been passed that would make it impossible for the likes of TCS, USSSA and NSA to operate. Any affiliated team/player with the governing body would face sanctions should they enter one if it was held. Like wise with teams, Anyone who is affiliated that plays with or against an unaffiliated team is subject to sanctions. Ontario...through its governing body is quickly becoming a walled garden. Lessons from the US models are being ignored in an attempt to retain control....literally by force.

Quebec continues to make waves and its open and competitive landscape for ball is showing great dividends. Lke wise on the Prairies (Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta) high quality teams and open and better competition are being seen.
Inthestands
 
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