Safe at home
by Diane Exner

The radio called it the Storm of the Century. It flooded in Edmonton, hailed in Calgary and tornadoes touched down in neighbouring communities, but for Lacombe, Alberta, it was blue skies and baseball all weekend. On July 10th and 11th, this small town hosted the 1st Annual Canadian Church Slo-pitch World Series. From the first pitch Saturday morning to the "A" Side Final Sunday evening, bad weather did not come into play.

At 8 o’clock Saturday morning, the first pitch was thrown at Michener Recreation Area to open the tournament. Four NSA Canada (National Softball Association) umpires facilitated the games on three of the seven diamonds. The temperature climbed to a beautiful 24°C and the sun shone all day. Some ball players and fans camped right at Michener Park to be ready for action at game time.

Sunday morning began with a delicious Stampede Breakfast served by Terry and Wanda Sibbick, NSA Canada President and Vice-President. The skies appeared overcast with patches of blue sky; perfect ball playing weather. Then like any other church function on a Sunday morning, trouble tried to brew.

On one diamond two teams let their tempers get out of control, an outfielder on another made a diving catch landing on his head, and the skies turned dark above. However, where two or more Christians gather and pray things change. On the ball field, the two teams made amends and shook hands, while the hurt player suffered only minor injuries.

As for the weather system, everyone watched, almost knowingly, as the clouds either went around on both sides or broke up by the time they passed over the fields. Just before the "A" Side Final at 6:00 pm, a 5-minute shower settled the dust, and then spectators and fans cheered on their teams as the sun peeked through the clouds.

Winning the "A" Side was Clive Baptist/Clive Christian Fellowship (Bible Thumpers), with Southgate Alliance of Edmonton as the other finalist. Third place went to Sherwood Park Pentecostal (Riff Raff), 4th to Crossroad Evangelical Missionary #1 of Red Deer, and 5th to New Life Fellowship of Lacombe.

Winning the "B" Side was New Hope Christian Assembly (Giant Slayers) of Edmonton, with Prince of Peace (Stingerzz) of Calgary as the other finalist. Third place went to Crossroads Evangelical Missionary #2 of Red Deer and 4th to St. John’s Lutheran (Road Runners) of Sherwood Park. All nine teams were from Alberta.

Each 1st place winner qualified for the NSA Church World Series in Panama City, Florida, September 10-12 and the top three of each division qualified for the Regular NSA Canadian World Series to be held in Calgary, September 3-6.

When asked for a comment of what he thought of this tournament and what he sees in years to come, Henry Wolf, NSA National Director Church Slo-Pitch commented, "I think the weekend was a great success and everybody truly enjoyed it. There were many Thank You’s for starting this event, which will only grow and get better with the Lord’s blessing and time. I truly look forward to holding it next year again with a much improved fellowship and worship aspect. We had nine teams this year, but something in my heart is telling me we will have 36 from AB, SK, BC and other parts of our country next year. I believe this is something that is God-driven and it can only succeed."

While the rest of Central Alberta was battling bad weather and weekend traffic, the ball players and fans in Lacombe, AB were ‘Safe at Home’ in Michener Park.

Diane Exner is a freelance writer, and photographer who lives in Calgary, Alberta.