Vivian ChuiOmineca Express
As balls crunched into mitts and cheers roared from the crowd, the fast ball tournament commemorating Blaine Barfoot finished with success as the Nadleh Hornets defeated Prince George Giants 5 to 1.
Nine teams from Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, and Burns Lake competed at the Blaine Barfoot Memorial Fast Pitch Tournament in Vanderhoof last weekend.
Barfoot, from the Saik’uz Reserve, had passed away in 2013, and he used to be an avid fast ball player, said Barfoot’s mother Karen John.
“He participated [in the last] North American Indigenous Games, where he played centre fielder,” John said.
The idea for the memorial tournament came from Barfoot’s sister, who “dreamt about playing ball with him,” added John.
Winners received $2000, $1200, and $800 for first, second and third places respectively, along with trophies sponsored by Stoney Creek Elders Society.
Participating teams:
Nadleh Hornets
Tigers
Prince George Giants
Burns Lake Bandits
Vanderhoof Rippers
Tlazten
Binche Stealers
Nautley Juniors
Stampeders