thenownewspaper.com Tuesday, June 8, 2010
O WEAR Y UR RED & WH TS! EN
GET READY FOR SUMMER
NOW
YOUTH TOU MALE RNA E FE M LIT
Softball City (2201 - 148th St.) and Cloverdale Athletic Park (64th and 168th) Surrey, BC
SOFTBALL! T WO E
July 5 - 11, 2010
N OF TIO RA
EE GAMES! ARQU CEL M ! EB ITE
Young elite talent scouted at tournaments Canada’s best up-and-coming players this year, and that’s good news for Softball Canada. “It’s been an amazing feeder system through to our national team program for players across the country,” said Mitchener, “so we’re happy that things are continuing at Softball City.” About 21 elite U-19 teams from across Canada and the U.S. will take to the field this year. To help Team Canada dig even deeper into the country’s talent pool, the Canadian Open Fastpitch tournament will also feature the 16-and-under Showcase International Championship to replace the Showcase Division of the Canada Cup. The younger division, which will see about 13 teams compete next month, has traditionally given the national program an early look at prospects for Canada’s under-19 national team. But Team Canada officials won’t be the only ones keeping a close eye on the Canadian Open Fastpitch Futures and Showcase International Championships. Building on the Canada Cup Futures and Showcase legacy, which helped establish Surrey’s great reputation as a hotbed of female softball talent, the tournament is also designed to attract scouts from top U.S. colleges and universities. With the college season just ending south of the border, organizers expect dozens of scouts to fill the bleachers armed with scouting booklets that include information on every single player in the tournament. Scouts will also have access to the tournament’s computer database so they can refine their search by sorting players according to position, age and availability.
/A13
For the first time this year, that information will also be available to coaches and scouts online. Making data about young talent readily available to scouts and coaches has led to huge payoffs for players since the Canada Cup youth divisions first began. “There’s hundreds of Canadian girls at U.S. colleges and universities,” said Mitchener. For years, players in the Futures tournament have seen opportunities for full-ride scholarships down south, but a recent trend toward ever earlier recruitment is also focusing attention on the girls in the Showcase tournament. “That will really give a boost to our British Columbia kids that are involved in the 16-and-under tournament because they are going to be live recruits now,” said Timm, who said coaches are getting verbal commitments from players as early as Grade 9.
Join us June 26th for Fashion and Fun! Models required All ages welcome Call 604-541-3937
FREE
*
PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES
As with the Canada Cup, the Canadian Open Fastpitch tournament ultimately expects to draw the best of the best teams, players, coaches and scouts by hosting an exceptional championship tournament for youth. With the experience represented on the tournament’s organizing committee – many of whose members have long ties to the Canada Cup – that shouldn’t be a problem. “I’m fully expecting it will be another first-class show,” said Mitchener.
* With purchase of complete pair. Some restrictions apply
For more information on the 2010 Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship, visit www.canadianopenfastpitch.com or call 604-536-9287.
DON’T PAY THE MIDDLE MAN! Buy direct from the lab and SAVE up to $349* plus...
Photos courtesy of Vision Quest
CELEBRATE. INSPIRE. YOUTH.
TE COMPLE TION E N O Y * BU OF PRESCRIP PAIR S GLASSE pair of one and get ION IPT PRESCR ES FREE! SS SUNGLA
• Over 3500 designer frames to choose from • Frame stylist on site to assist you • Free sight-testing BIFOCALS •• TRIFOCALS TRIFOCALS •• PROGRESSIVES ••BIFOCALS PROGRESSIVES
IN HOUR IN ABOUT ABOUT 11 HOUR
ge ge Geor Geor
a a Leon Leon
e SStetevv
iliyly Famm ssF We Weienin e h h TT
www.crystalvisionandhearing.com www.crystalvisionandhearing.com
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED. LEONA WEINS AND SONS GEORGE AND STEVE. FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE OPTICAL
YOUR DIGITAL HEARING EXPERTS Registered under the Hearing Aid Act of BC
ABBOTSFORD Hearing Centre Only • Seven Oaks Shopping Centre • 604-504-3277 LANGLEY • Unit C101-20159 88 Avenue, Walnut Grove, Thunderbird Village • 604-881-4937 CHILLIWACK • Southgate Shopping Centre • 604-795-5367 MAPLE RIDGE •22540 Dewdney Trunk Rd • 604-466-3937 NORTH VANCOUVER • Lynn Valley Centre • 604-983-3277
060810
THIS TOURNAMENT IS SANCTIONED BY:
HEARING
WHITE ROCK • Semiahmoo Shopping Centre •604-541-8599 604-541-859 • 604 -541-3937
5/10PA CV21
For more information contact: 604.536.9287 or visit www.canadianopenfastpitch.com