Rotary Field will see some minor improvements in advance of the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Finals next year. (File photo/paNOW)

By paNOW Staff

Event brought $3.6M to P.A.

Softball success continues in Prince Albert; more improvements coming to Rotary Field

Aug 7, 2024 | 9:13 AM

On the heels of a successful international softball event hosted by the city of Prince Albert, momentum for the sport continues to grow and the timing couldn’t be better.

Felix Casavant who helped start the Prince Albert Minor Softball Association in 1996 said over the last few years boy’s softball, in particular, started to peter out.

“But we’re trying to keep it alive and just by the successes of what we’ve seen over this last year…I mean U11’s were silver medalists in Provincials, the U13 boys were gold medal winners and the U15 were silver medal winners and U17 were gold medal winners. So, we’re seeing the success of boy’s ball continue to grow and we’re trying to raise the interest by these successes and we’re hopeful that the boy’s numbers will pick up in the years to come.”

Casavant said the city recently playing host to the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup qualifier and the Finals next summer also offers a chance for local kids to see there is a future in the sport.

“We want them to see we can reach higher heights and we can continue playing until well into our mid 30’s and early 40’s and bringing these teams to Prince Albert and showcasing that gives our kids a chance to see what kind of ball they can play and make them more enthusiastic about playing the game here at a younger age and continuing on,” he said.

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Casavant acted as the director of finance for the Men’s World Cup in July and despite a smaller turnout than anticipated when it came to fans in the stands, the event still had an economic impact on the city of $3.66 million.

“Our restaurants and hotels were busy and local businesses benefited from it. So, by hosting these events, there’s a tremendous impact to the whole community and it also gives us an opportunity to keep hosting events like this in our city, bringing the world to Prince Albert and having them see the facilities we have and continue to improve on.”

Host committee members hope more fans will fill the stands at next year’s WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals in Prince Albert. (File photo/paNOW)

Casavant said there were several suggestions made by the World Softball Congress on improvements to the local diamonds in advance of the World Cup Finals next year. Some ideas are feasible, and others aren’t.

“Bull pens for example, where the pitchers warm up, they’re too short and they want them extended and would like to see double bullpens on both sides of the first and third base side. That is something that is achievable,” Casavant said.

They also suggested padding on the outfield fences for protection of the players, but Casavant said that request is likely not within their budget means. However, they do plan on getting new bases and making some surface grade adjustments by flattening the crown on the infield.

The final of the World Cup Qualifier last July was significantly delayed by rain. Casavant said the host committee has already bought a tarp that will cover the entire infield and plan on establishing a ‘rain crew’ prior to the Finals next year that will be on standby with ‘a good supply of quick dry and shale.’

“This [WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup] is a big adventure. There will probably never be another World Cup calibre event in Prince Albert, so we hope people take advantage of it and come out and see the best men’s softball you can in the world and support our local committee as we continue to make improvements.”

Just like it was with this past event, he said future profits will be put back in the fields to keep the sport thriving in Prince Albert.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com