The Dream Team from Saskatoon captured the A-side trophy for a fourth year in a row at the 2017 Limerick Slo-pitch Tournament in Limerick on June 23-25. The Dream Team, which defeated the Landsharks, included players from the south area. Previously the Posse from Mossbank won the event for over 10 years and remain a top team in the tournament.
This year, the annual event in Limerick hosted about 35 teams and saw about 400 people come out to take in the action. Prizes were awarded in each of the finals.聽
The tournament got its start 33 years ago when slo-pitch was first hemerging as a sport. Half of the teams were from the Assiniboia district that got together for a tournament. The Limerick Blazers hockey team and volunteers organized it as a fundraiser and it grew each year from there. 鈥淭here are not many tournaments of this size in the province anymore,鈥� Gord Mellquist of Limerick recounted the history of the tournament. The slo-pitch tournament is always held on the last weekend of June.
In the first years of the tournament, Limerick did not have the facilities that it has today. There were only three ball diamonds which limited the number of teams entered. The off-field events were also more elaborate and labour-intensive. Cabarets with two bands played on Saturday at the old skating rink. But this meant a lot of the seating had to be moved between facilities for the cabaret and beer gardens. At the same time, more volunteers were available to assist in the early years. Once the hockey team ceased operations, there were fewer volunteers to help organize and run the event.
With the construction of the new arena, all of the tournament events take place at the sports grounds. This allows for visitors to set up camping for the entire weekend. The grounds are transformed into a sea of RVs. Having the top-notch facilities helps the tournament run smoothly. There are now four new permanent ball diamonds, and the beer gardens adjoins the rink. The live band has been replaced with a DJ that has expanded the musical entertainment to Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. There is music throughout the day, a quality beer gardens, and good diamond facilities. The tournament also provides security and umpires for every game.聽
The proceeds from the event over the years continue to pump back a significant portion into the operation of the rink and upgrades. A portion of the booth and tournament go back into the rink. In the early years, the food booth was run by the school as a fundraiser. Today with the school closed, the funds are allocated to several local organizations.聽
The Limerick event continues to attract teams that come from local communities as well as from further locales such as Saskatoon, Regina and Calgary. In the past, teams have come from the U.S. to play. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no problem getting teams to come.鈥� About 32-40 teams participate on average with the highest number historically being 44, and the lowest 27.聽
The teams also range in ability from those out to have fun to the seriously competitive. Teams say they continue to attend the event because it has gained a reputation for being well organized and a good time. The tournament is more than just about the slo-pitch game. This weekend transforms Limerick into a complete social experience 鈥� a time for sporting fun, socializing with friends and enjoying the entertainment. Even the weather has cooperated for three decades. Limerick鈥檚 slo-pitch has never been rained out.
Some interesting traditions have arisen over the years of the game. A breakfast special called 鈥淓ggs McLimerick鈥� is available only once a year in Limerick during the slo-pitch weekend. And the participating teams sport some very inventive names.聽
Mellquist noted that the tournament also brings a huge economic spin-off to Limerick and its local businesses such as the grocery, bar and gas station.聽
These days, few of the original players or organizers from the first tournaments are still around. The tournament has now passed the torch to the next generations to organize and to play. And if the 2017 tournament numbers are anything to go by, it will remain popular for generations to come.
