Girls having a ball

Photo: Contributed

This weekend, West Kelowna hosts the U19 provincial girls minor fastball championships.

It's the first time the community has hosted the event, which will see B.C.'s top 16 teams compete. Each will have won their district playdowns, earning them the right to play in the tournament. 

“It's an honour for West Kelowna to have the opportunity to host the provincials,” said Graeme Duncan, president of the Westside Minor Fastball Association. “We’re hoping it will help grow the sport of fastball in our community and showcase West Kelowna to the rest of the province.” 

It's estimated the tourney will bring more than $200,000 into the local economy over three days. 

Duncan is quick to dispel myths about the sport.

“It’s not softball,” he said. “It’s not underhand pitching or something that’s played in a casual beer league. It’s fast, windmill pitching and different from both softball and baseball. Fastball is an international Olympic sport, and if players get good enough, they can apply for scholarships and travel the world.

"It’s a competitive sport with lots of opportunities and an exciting game to watch.”

Round-robin games are scheduled 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Playoffs start Saturday evening at 6 p.m. and end Sunday afternoon.  

The Westside Outlaws play at noon and 4 p.m. on Friday; 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday.  

Games take place at Kinsmen Park on Shannon Lake Road, Band Field on Shannon Lake Road, and Pine Stadium on Quail Lane.