The annual Buck Pringle Memorial Baseball Tournament has brought 32 teams from all over Ontario to Orillia this weekend.
Ed Novosky, the director of the representative division for Orillia Legion Minor Baseball (OLMB) and convener of the tournament, says the Orillia teams playing in the 9U, 13U, and 18U divisions all have a chance to win division titles at the tournament.
“All of the teams are really good,” he said. “It’s really anyone’s game.”
The 18U Orillia Royals team is off to a strong start this season and could be the odds-on favourite to be walking off the diamond as champions on Sunday, he said.
Novosky says the Buck Pringle event kicks off tournament season for baseball teams around the province.
“It’s a lot of fun to get all the teams out to start the season off,” he said. “It’s usually one of the first tournaments that people go to.”
As a coach himself, Novosky says an early season tournament can be a great bonding experience for new teams.
"It's an opportunity for new players to know their teammates,” he said. “It’s a chance for families to get to know each other; it’s just a fantastic opportunity for everybody.”
Jase Norris, an eight-year-old player on the Orillia Royals, is in his third year playing baseball.
“I’m excited to have baseball back,” he said. “I enjoy hitting the most and being on the bench with my teammates.”
Norris says tournament game days have a special atmosphere.
“I like that you get to play in a lot of games,” he said. “It’s a good chance to get to know some of my new teammates.”
While the players love it, the tournament is also welcome news for local businesses as it brings a great economic boost to the local economy, Novosky says.
“All the hotels are full, and the restaurants are going to be busy all weekend long,” he said. “It’s really going to stimulate the local economy for sure.”
The tournament is taking place all weekend long at Cliff Yeo Diamond, Kitchener Park, Tudhope Park, and McKinnell Square Park. The finals take place on Sunday starting at 8:30 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. You can find the game results and the schedule for this weekend’s tournament here.
