The North Central Alberta Baseball League is counting down the weeks to its 50th anniversary celebrations.
And commissioner Paul Riopel was buzzing to get the word out to NCABL alumni, sports fans, historians and community members about a weekend packed with activities Aug. 18-20 to coincide with the Westlock & District Agricultural Fair.
“This celebration is not just for the alumni,” Riopel highlighted. “We want to let the people of Westlock and area in particular know that we would really love to see them in attendance at these events because the game focuses on the people. The people support the game, love the game, give it life.”
The anniversary activities kick off the Friday night with a meet and greet for the community to chat up alumni and learn the history of the league from its inception, complete with artifacts from the NCABL Hall of Fame and a press book documenting media coverage of the teams over the past 25 years.
Eventually those books, which took 300 volunteer hours to compile, will find a permanent home at the Hall of Fame. That night two impact players from each of the league’s five decades will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“The meet and greet will be like going back in the annals of time,” Riopel said. “Not just specifically for sports history, but for the actual historical development of their own communities and the farming community around them, because it focuses on all the beautiful little villages and towns, like the Jarvies and the Fawcetts and Rochesters and the Tawatinaws and the Linarias.”
Sure to leave lasting memories will be Donna Keller’s hot dog creation, the “Diamond Dog,” which will be served for one-time only but Riopel said the “dog will come out to bark,” so grab a bite.
Tickets for that event are online for $20 or can be purchased through a local league executive member.
Saturday will feature a mixed Texas Scramble golf tournament at the Westlock Golf Club for alumni, family, and friends for $70, pre-registration only.
That same day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the league is hosting a free event for the community at the Rotary Spirit Centre. Salute to our communities: A sports expo will feature a historical snapshot of the league, games for the kids and professional national athletes to sign autographs.
“We recognize that if it weren’t for the contributions of our town and our villages, the game would not have flourished,” Riopel said.
The communities that have greatly impacted the sport include Barrhead, Westlock, Legal, Morinville and St. Albert. Some of those will have kiosks and will be giving away a free raffle draw.
Three amateur talent shows will be held beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Spirit Centre. Riopel says he is still looking for local talent, and that includes you Barrhead, to perform a song, dance, play an instrument or recite a play. Contact the league to sign up.
Saturday night will wind up with a gala banquet. Throughout the evening, three speakers will take the stage to share the most memorable sports story they’ve ever covered.
Riopel stayed tight-lipped on the names but did mention that Sportsnet’s Mark Spector would be sharing his unforgettable sports moments.
Tickets are $45 and should be purchased by Aug. 10.
Lastly, the jam-packed weekend will wrap up with the league championship semifinals with games at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday with the series possibly closing up on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The games are free but those who purchase the banquet and meet-and-greet package will also receive one free ticket to the rodeo and two free tickets to a 2018 Prospect game in Edmonton.
All tickets can be delivered to your door.
