(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Could P.A. host the world cup?

Prince Albert the only bidder for 2024 World Cup of Softball, but more could come after holding period

Dec 18, 2020 | 4:33 PM

Over the course of the last few months, Prince Albert overcame a hurdle before finding itself in a holding pattern to host the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation Men’s World Cup of Softball.

St. John’s, N.L. also had interest in making a bid for the championship, as well as making up a lot of the senior men’s team. But in October, Prince Albert’s tournament hosting co-chair Felix Casavant learned Prince Albert had beat out St. John’s and would be Canada’s lone city to make the bid.

“We thought that maybe Newfoundland would have the upper hand because they had about eight players on the Softball Canada team, but that certainly wasn’t the case,” Casavant said. “I thought we put together a solid bid package.”

In fact, Prince Albert is the only place to have a bid in place on the world tournament. But everything at the moment is on hold until the WBSC meets in February to decide when the tournament is going to be and to flesh out the details.

“We’re at a standstill until the WBSC meets in February and decides and confirms the tournament formats and the dates of the championships,” Casavant said. “At that time, we’ll know if we have to revise or update our bid package, but we’re ready to go and the WBSC knows we’re ready to go. There is no other bid at this time, but that doesn’t mean anything really because the other countries will bid once they know the specific dates.”

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Despite having to hold, Casavant and the tournament hosting committee are confident they can secure the venue. They have video bid featuring Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and City of Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne, and they also have the success and experience in hosting the 2018 World Junior Men’s Softball Championships.

“As we all know, 2018 was such a huge success. It certainly impressed the WBSC officials that attended the tournament. When they left, they asked ‘When’s the next time you’re going to put in a bid?’ This is our next time, so we’re hoping that we’re successful.

“For the fans, I don’t know if I talked to anyone that didn’t just love the tournament. They felt they were in a different part of our city, a unique part of our city, and they just loved the atmosphere,” Casavant said. “It was great for the city and for the fans, and they’re looking forward to another one. Our volunteers are second to none, and they can’t wait to get on board and do it again.”

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW