ESTEVAN - Two provincial tournaments are in the rear-view mirror for Estevan Minor Baseball, but their work for the summer isn't finished.
Estevan will host provincials for 13U AA Tier 5, 18U AA Tier 5 and 18U AA Tier 6 from July 26-28. The 13U tournament will be at Mel Murray Cactus Park, and the two 18U tournaments will be split between Cactus and Lynn Prime Park.
A total of 21 teams will be entered between the three divisions. The 13U tournament will feature nine teams, including the host Estevan Brewers, comprised of house league players. Each 18U tournament has six teams, with the host Brewers playing in Tier 6, and the Carnduff Astros competing in Tier 5.
The U13 Brewers will open the tournament on July 26 at 6 p.m. against the Gravelbourg Lightning. Then they play July 27 at 9 a.m. against the Biggar Nationals and at 3 p.m. versus the Balcarres Broncs. Their final round-robin game will be at noon on July 28 versus the Carrot River Loggers.
The gold medal game will be at 3 p.m. on July 28. The first-place team from the Brewers' group will play the top team from the other pool, which has four teams.
In the U18 AA Tier 6 competition, the Brewers, comprised of house league players, will face the Quad Town Steelers on July 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Cactus. Then on July 27, they will face the Regina Expos at 11:45 a.m. at Cactus and the Eston Ramblers at 5:15 p.m. at Lynn Prime.
Semifinals for the U18 Tier 6s will be at Cactus, and the final will be at Lynn Prime at 3:30 p.m. if tie-breakers are needed; if they aren't, the final could be at 3 p.m.
All games for Tier 5 will be at Lynn Prime. The Astros will face the Wynyard Blues on July 26 at 12:30 p.m., the Gull Lake Greyhounds on July 27 at 11:45 a.m., and the Yorkton Cardinals on July 27 at 5:30 p.m.
If tie-breakers are needed, the final for Tier 5 is slated to start at 2 p.m. on July 28. If there isn't a tie-breaker, the final could be earlier.
Opening ceremonies will be at 4:15 p.m. on July 26 at Cactus for all three tournaments. Estevan Minor Baseball vice-president Mel Murray said Jen Lozinsky will have the honour of throwing the ceremonial opening pitch, thanks to all of the work she has done for the tournament, getting the teams' rosters in and the clothing lists ready, and for minor baseball in general.
"Jen took care of all of the team rosters, making sure the coaches know what's going on, and buying the clothing order," said Murray.
Kevin Culy is the umpire in chief for the tournament, and Murray said Culy has some good local officials lined up.
Murray noted that the Legion Diamond at Cactus will be converted to an 18U field, with changes to the pitching mound and new locations for the basepads. The fences will remain the same distance from home plate. He also has to adapt the Chamney Diamond from 11U to 13U due to the number of teams.
A work bee will take place the night before the tournament.
Murray said people can look forward to watching some pretty good baseball during the weekend.
"In the old days, we used to leave Friday morning to play Friday afternoon. These teams are coming Thursday night. Some teams want a practice Thursday night."
With 21 teams entered, Murray said there will be a considerable economic impact for the hospitality sector and other businesses in Estevan thanks to this latest showcase of the community.
