The Happy’s Source for Sports Islanders are off to the 2013 Canadian Oldtimers Baseball Championships, scheduled for the August long weekend in Edmonton.
The Oldtimers tournament has three divisions – 35+, 44+, and 50+. The Islanders, with an average age of about 58, will be in tough in the 50+ division.
The website for all information including schedules and results is at http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=cnobf.
The one and only time that a Valley team travelled to the national tournament was in 2010 when it was played in Vancouver, and while the experience was wonderful, the result was less than stellar. A goal this year is to improve on that performance, a team spokesperson said.
This year’s team is based on the Happy’s Source for Sports Indians team that plays in the Komoux Men’s Real Baseball League in Comox. With a foundation anchored by veterans Buck Briggs, Ron Carter, Tim McDonald, Tony Powell and Kevin Dobbelsteyn, league additions include Scott Murray from the Nationals, Lane Parker from the Yankees, and Richard Murphy from the Twins. Former Valley residents Kelly McGiffin, Don Smawley and John Gowans, along with several other players from Port Alberni, Calgary, and Hamilton, round out the roster.
The Islanders' first game is Friday, Aug. 2 at Telus Field in Edmonton at 9 a.m. against Pleasant Valley Lakers. "Follow the team as it takes a run at a national championship!" the team spokesperson said.
– Happy's Source for Sports Islanders