Fast-pitch championships latest virus victim

Upwards of 5,000 spectators, including families of players, had been expected at August competitions in Grimsby and Lincoln

Upwards of 24 teams from across Canada won’t get the chance to sparkle on the diamond at national fast-pitch championships this summer in Niagara.

While under-14 and under-16 boys championships weren’t scheduled to get underway until Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Southward Park in Grimsby and Jordan Lions Park in Lincoln, respectively, both events have already been cancelled by the sport’s national governing body due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prompting Softball Canada’s decision was the need to safeguard the health of the athletes, coaches, officials, support staff, volunteers and spectators. It was based on recommendations from public health experts.

Logistics also factored in on the decision to pull the plug on the two tournaments in the region as well as national championships throughout the country.

“Unfortunately, due to the lead-up time required to host any Canadian championship, and the current uncertainty around travel, facility openings and respective dates when play may be able to start, we regretfully will be cancelling all 2020 Canadian championships,” Softball Canada president Scott Neiles said.

A lot of input went into the decision to put the sport on hold for the summer.

Softball Canada consulted with provincial and territorial softball organizations as well as the 2021 Canada Games Host Society before pulling the plug on events that were expected to attract more than 5,000 spectators, including families of the 400 to 500 players.

Doug Hamilton, 2021 Canada Games Host Society chair, said, while organizers for next summer’s games in Niagara are disappointed, “we completely support Softball Canada’s decision. Despite today’s disappointing news, we continue to look forward to hosting both the men’s (under-21) and women’s (under-18) softball competitions next summer as part of the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games,” he said after Softball Canada announced the cancellations Thursday.

About 10 teams were expected to compete at the under-14 tournament in Grimsby and as many as 14 at the under-16 competition in Lincoln. It wasn’t known when the tournaments were cancelled what the numbers would have been from the region.

“We can’t be sure how many teams from the Niagara region would’ve attended the tournaments. Originally, the field for both tournaments was to be finalized in early June,” said Christopher Seguin, media and communications co-ordinator for the Niagara 2021 Canada Summer Games.

“However, it is worth noting that each tournament was expected to field four teams from Ontario.”

Seguin couldn’t say whether Grimsby and Lincoln will get the chance to host championships next year.

“Softball Canada is still trying to figure out a plan for 2021. There are a few championships still available to be hosted,” he said.

“They also have their championships open for bidding in 2022.”

Softball at the Summer Games — women’s under 18, men’s under-21 — will be played at Southward Park in Grimsby.

More than 5,000 athletes and coaches are expected to take part in the 2021 Canada Summer Games in Niagara.