The 2013 Canadian Native Fastball Championships begin Friday night in Grande Prairie, Alta. For those involved, the event is about more than just playing ball.
The national championship started in 1974 and has blossomed into one of the most prestigious events in First Nations athletics, said Alex Moore, a member of the events executive and also a Vancouverite and player. The tournament attracts up to 1,800 athletes from 80 teams, with approximately 5,000 more onlookers who fill the stands. Team categories include senior mens and womens teams and a masters level for players over 40.
More than glory is at stake for winning teams. The top senior teams can grab $10,000 in prize money, while master teams can take home $5,000.
"The calibre is really high," said Moore, who is Cree and played baseball growing up in Manitoba and continued even after his wife brought him out West. "Softball is one of the main national games for aboriginals that and hockey."
First Nations communities and organizations are the sole fundraisers for the event. The Canadian Native Fastball Association (CNFA), a non-profit group drawn from representatives from across Canada, determines which community will host the games each year. Requirements for being chosen include having a playing facility with eight or nine diamonds with at least three lights around each one.
The Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation hosts this weekend in northern Alberta. Last year, the championships were held in Cranbrook. The senior womens division champions were the Red Nation Jets, a team comprised of 11 players from six different provinces including B.C. The Invermere A's of B.C. topped the senior mens field.
The As are back to defend their title and are "always a threat," according to Moore, who plays for Manitoba Sapotawayak Cree from his home province.
There are some differences between the game played in this tournament and traditional fastball. In the CNFC tourney, only one foot is required on the rubber when pitching, rather than the traditional two. Other differences are allowed because the organizers wouldnt want teams to stay home because they couldnt afford to meet certain expectations, like matching team socks.
"We dont require full uniforms and things like that," said Moore, noting teams from some communities just cant afford it. But he said the games remain tough and competitive.
"This is wide-open fastball," he said.
