CARP – The West Carleton Electric will be facing off against nine other teams at the end of the month as the fastball team competes against some of the areas’ best players in front of a hometown crowd.

The 12th Annual Gil Read Memorial Fastball Tournament hits the Carp Fairgrounds July 26 for the weekend tournament.

The schedule was recently released and there are 10 teams participating in the event from Ontario, Quebec and Pennsylvania. 

“Returning this year are two-time defending champions, Elkland Beverage Co. from Pennsylvania,” long-time West Carleton fastball coach and volunteer Adam Brown told West Carleton Online. “The Elkland club has indicated their roster this year will be bolstered with the addition of three players from the New Zealand national team who are spending the summer in the U.S.. Local clubs participating are the West Carleton Electric, Kars Aces and Micksburg Twins, all from the Greater Ottawa Fastball League, as well as the Ottawa Spiders. Party Lake from the Kingston area is also entered.”

Brown says there are some talented teams far around the province attending.

“Other Ontario entries are Waterdown Hammer, Durham Diamondbacks and Fenelon Falls The Lakes, three teams that will be participating in the International Softball Congress World Tournament for club teams to be held in Wisconsin in August,” he said.

The Quebec entry is the Waskaganish Hurricanes, a team from the James Bay Cree territory.

Games start on Friday night at 7 p.m., with the championship game scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Admission is only $5 per day, or $10 for the weekend. The West Carleton Amateur Sports Club will be on hand to provide food and refreshments.

“Funds raised at this event go towards the Gil Read Foundation,” Brown said. “The foundation’s program is set up to promote, foster and increase access to amateur sport through the provisions of financial assistance and support to children ages five to 18 who might not otherwise be able to participate in amateur sport due to the associated costs.”

Pool A:
Micksburg, ON Twins  (2014 Champions)
Waskaganish, QC Hurricanes
Kars, ON Aces
Durham, ON Diamondbacks 
Kingston, ON Party Lake

Pool B:
Fitzroy Harbour, ON West Carleton Electric
Fenelon Falls, ON The Lakes
Ottawa, ON Spiders
Waterdown, ON Hammer
Elkland, PA Beverage Co. (2017 & 2018 Champions)