PORT McNEILL—The annual OrcaFest Slo-pitch Tournament will draw its usual field of local and visiting teams for four days of play beginning tonight at Centennial Field.
Twenty-two teams are scheduled to enter, including defending champions Load 'em Up of Port Hardy and Campbell River-based Adrenaline Rush, which won three straight titles before being knocked from the top spot a year ago.
Port Alice, Port McNeill and Port Hardy all have teams entered for games to be played at Hyde Creek Ballpark and at Mantic and Centennial fields in Port McNeill.
A single game will be played tonight, with a full slate of contests beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. and wrapping up with the traditional midnight game at Centennial.
Saturday's action will run from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., followed by the annual OrcaFest Slo-pitch dance at the Community Hall.
The tourney wraps up Sunday with the final elimination games beginning at 8 a.m. and the A final set for 3:30 p.m. at Centennial.
Tickets for the dance, which features live music by the Jam Shack Araknids, are $10 in advance or $15 the day of the dance. Advance tickets can be purchased today and tomorrow at Timberland Sports, The Flower Shoppe or Gus's Bar and Grill. Tickets will also be available at the beer garden at Centennial Field during the tournament.