The historic Yew Bat trophy is up for grabs this weekend as the 11th annual Investors Group Yew Bat Masters Baseball Tournament goes at Bill Moore Memorial Park in Courtenay.
The eight-team tourney includes visiting teams from Victoria and Burnaby and six from the Komox Men's Real Baseball League – Daryl Robbins CGA Nationals, Toneff Funeral Services Blue Jays, Happy’s Source for Sports Islanders, Brian McLean Yankees, Edwards Avenue Athletics, and the Fisher Realty Twins.
In a major change from previous years, all teams will be playing in the 35+ division. Although two divisions (35+ and 45+) worked well for many years, organizers say the new format will likely see better competition over the entire weekend.
On Friday at 5 p.m. the Buzzards from Vancouver take on Happy’s Islanders in the tournament opener. There will be two games at 5 p.m. and two more at 7:30 p.m. Saturday will see two games in each time slot – 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Semifinals go Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and the finals at 2 p.m.
One of the 2 p.m. games on Saturday is a special all-star type contest involving the Young Guns League. This is the local 19+ league that features many excellent ball players from the Valley and Campbell River. "Try to get out to see this battle of skills," a tourney spokesperson said.
"Drop by Bill Moore park (next to the lawn bowling club on Kilpatrick) for some sun, a couple of cool beverages, and some exciting baseball as the not-so-young boot Father Time to the sidelines for the weekend," the spokesperson said.
SHORT HOPS Other sponsors who have stepped up include returning sponsor Dave Odamura of Coldwell Banker and Tim McDonald of Happy’s Source for Sports ...
– Investors Group Yew Bat Masters Baseball Tournament