Tournament organizer Clay Munro just wanted to give Merrittonians another chance to play some competitive slo-pitch in their own backyard.
By that metric, the first annual Smashfest tournament, held from April 20 to 22 at Central Park in Merritt, was a rousing success.
Twenty teams from around the region attended the tournament, which awarded more than $7,000 in cash prizes.
The Backdoor Bandits team from Merritt took home third place in the elite division. (Photo contributed).
An avid softball player himself, Munro said he and his girlfriend play in plenty of tournaments around the province during the season. He aimed to bring “competition back in the Valley,” with the creation of Smashfest.
The tournament featured teams in two divisions, elite and recreational, with the top three teams in each category earning prizes.
Action from tournament play on April 21. (Bill Stowell/Herald).
Four MVP awards were also handed out based on input from the fans, added Munro.
Two local teams ended up on the podium, with the Land Pirates from Merritt taking second in the recreational division, while Munro’s Backdoor Bandit team earned bronze in the elite division.
