WEST CARLETON – What was expected to be the largest sporting event in West Carleton history, is now another event casualty of COVID-19.

Softball Canada has pulled the plug on all Canadian Fast Pitch and Slo-Pitch Championships for the 2020 season. This includes the Under-23 Men’s Canadian Fast Pitch Championship scheduled for Carp the last week of July. The national championship was announced with lots of hoopla at the West Carleton Amateur Sports Club last February.

“After carefully considering all factors at play, Softball Canada’s board of directors has made the decision to cancel all of its Canadian Fast Pitch and Slo-Pitch Championships for the 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” Softball Canada released in a statement today (May 20).
 
A total of 10  Canadian Championships were scheduled to be held in six different provinces between late July and early September.
 
“Our decision to cancel the 2020 Canadian Championships was an extremely difficult one, however we are confident it is the right call designed to protect the health and wellbeing of our member athletes, coaches, umpires and volunteers” Softball Canada President Scott Neiles said. “We remain extremely hopeful the 2020 softball season will be able to be played at the local level in many areas of the country.”
 
Softball Canada continues to recommend the suspension of all softball activities in Canada until May 31. As of June 1, with the divergent Provincial/Territorial and local phases of re-opening facilities and sport, Softball Canada advises members to follow the guidelines established by their local Provincial/Territorial Softball Associations. Their decisions are informed by their respective Provincial/ Territorial Governments and Health Care authorities and recognize different regional conditions and approaches.