Some of the best fastpitch players in the world are showing their skills this weekend in 麻豆精选.
The annual 麻豆精选 May Days Fastpitch Tournament began Thursday at King鈥檚 Stadium with two exhibition games featuring the Team Canada men鈥檚 team.
Team Canada kicks off tournament play today (Friday) with a game against 麻豆精选 Andre鈥檚 Athletics.
Team Canada coach John Stuart said the tournament is great for his team leading up to the world championships, which will take place in Prague next month.
鈥淲e鈥檙e doing things as a team and as Team Canada, and everyone鈥檚 excited to get started as we hope to be able to put in as much time as we can in 麻豆精选,鈥� said Stuart.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for us with us going to Prague, it was imperative to get out and train.
鈥淲e still expect the competition to be very good for us, there鈥檚 always talented players who are here. The tournament is the reason I wanted to come to (麻豆精选), and the guys are all in awe of 麻豆精选, the weather and the city.鈥�
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Participating teams come from all over Canada, including Saskatoon and Grande Prairie, along with local Okanagan teams from 麻豆精选 and Vernon.
Individual players making up the teams are some of the best fastpitch players from the U.S., Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
Tournament organizer Richard Haldane said although fastpitch is a small and niche sport, it is entertaining for the fans.
鈥淭he biggest thing is the atmosphere and the competition, everyone gets to play against the best, and (fans) love when they come out,鈥� said Haldane.
This will be the first time Team Canada has participated in the May Days tournament, and it will face some tough competition.
鈥淚t was great timing with (the team) going to Prague, and to kick off the year and face other pitchers and get them ready,鈥� said Haldane.
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鈥淭eam Canada is the favourite, but anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Everyone wants to play against the best, and if you can knock them off, there you go.鈥�
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