The softball diamonds at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex in Saskatoon hosted the International Men’s Fast Pitch 4 Nations Cup this past weekend.
The four-team tournament featured the Canadian Men's National Team, the New Zealand Black Sox coming to Saskatoon from down under, along with Team USA, and Team Japan. Tournament organizers teased the play as a joy to watch, and things certainly didn't disappoint with the Thursday through Saturday tournament.
Team Canada started their tournament with a 3-1 win against Japan and then followed that up with a 4-2 win over New Zealand. Canada completed the round-robin with a win, and because Japan beat New Zealand, Team Canada was able to lock up a spot in the championship game. That left Japan taking on the USA in the bronze medal game, where the Americans won 2-1 to take the bronze and finish the tournament 2-2, Japan ending with a 1-3 mark.
With those teams playing for bronze Canada was left to line up against New Zealand in the championship game. Another low scoring, defensive game resulted in a 2-1 win for Canada under the lights to win the title and finish the tournament a perfect 4-0, New Zealand at 1-3.
In the midst of the celebration Team Canada made sure to wave to the fans that supported them all week long, many of whom who will be making the trip to Prince Albert for the World Baseball Softball Congress Men's Softball World Championship beginning Tuesday.
Last year in Saskatoon, Team Canada and New Zealand were together for the Super8 International Softball Super Series. They were joined by two local Saskatoon, the Saskatoon Angels and Saskatoon Jacks, and the Hill United Chiefs from Oshweken, Ontario played the New York Gremlins from Clifton Park, NY.