Softball Newfoundland and Labrador will have plenty of representation at the National and Eastern Canadian championships this summer.

The junior men's competition will likely receive the most attention," provincial president Ivan Hapgood said, "since it is being held in St. John's, but close to another 20 teams will seek titles in other championships."

President's Choice Gaters and Newfoundland Iron Workers are the two teams that earned the right to play in the junior men's event at the Caribou Complex August 4 to August 11.

"We'll be watching our 1997 Canada Games teams when they play in the national midget championships," Hapgood pointed out. "The male team goes to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan while the female team plays in Prince Edward Island."

The male competition runs August 4 to 11 while the female event is set for august 22 to 25.

Hapgood is very interested to see how Mr. Billards will do at the senior men's championships at Waterloo, Ontario. They play August 25 to September 1.

"It's only natural that we look closely at the senior performance. For a long time we've always been very competitive in senior men's play."

The team for the national boys bantam championships will be settled at the provincial championships in Clarenville. The nationals are set in Prince Edward Island.

Foxtrap will play at the national bantam girls championships at St. Catherine's, Ontario August 23 to 25.

Stellarton, Nova Scotia is the site of the national pee wee girls championships August 23 to 26. The provincial representative has yet to be decided.

Placentia plays at St. Catherine's for the national pee wee boys championships. It goes August 23 to 25.

Marystown travels to Dorchester, Ontario for the male slo-pitch "A" championships August 12 to 18 and the Sundance Saloon of St. John's will be in Laval, Quebec for the male "B" competition September 6, 7 and 8.

Four teams will be eligible for the national male and female recreational slo-pitch championships in Guelph, Ontario. The are scheduled August 8 to 11.

Two Eastern Canadian fast pitch championships will be played in Newfoundland September 6, 7 and 8.

Corner Brook will host the Men's "C" Championships with Corner Brook, Labatt Lite and Newfoundland Number Three representing the province.

St. John's will be the location for the Men's "A" event with a host entry and the provincial senior "B" winners taking part.

"Overall we have a very busy schedule this summer," Hapgood pointed out. "The National and Eastern Canadian participation are very important events on which we work hard. We are looking forward to doing very well."

Contact: Softball Newfoundland and Labrador, (709) 576-7049.

1996 07 25   11:45 a.m.