Men's fastpitch softball returns to Havre

During the summer, it doesn’t typically take much to get a softball game going in Montana. But make a weekend out of it, and throw in six teams stocked with talent, concessions, and a couple of good causes, and Sixth Avenue Memorial Softball Complex in Havre is suddenly the place to be.

Friday through Sunday, Havre’s Danny Wirtzberger, who is currently the head coach of the Havre North Stars American Legion baseball team, and the Havre High girls softball team, will put on Shaina’s Challenge men’s fastpitch softball tournament at the Sixth Avenue Memorial field.

The tournament, planned as an annual event, is meant to help faise funds for Shaina’s Challenge and for the Havre High girls fast pitch program. Money will also go to help pay for the scholarship in Shaina Evans’ name at Montana State University-Northern. This scholarship goes to a Skylight volleyball player each year. Evans, was killed in a tragic auto accident several years ago, and at the time, was playing volleyball for MSU-N.

And as important as it is to promote awareness for Shania’s Challenge, the tournament is also meant to bring men’s fastpitch back to Havre players and fans.

“This is pretty close to my heart, for many reasons,” Wirtzberger said. “Shaina was my cousin, so I really wanted to promote awareness for Shania’s Challenge. But I also wanted to help promote girls fastpitch, and bring men’s fastpitch back to Havre. I can’t wait for people to see men’s fastpitch again, and I am hoping this sparks some interest, and gets the league going again.”

Years ago, Havre had a very competitive men’s league, as well as several fastpitch teams that competed at, and won several state tournaments. It has been three years since Havre has had a men’s fastpitch league, and hopefully this weekend will help change that.

Six teams will face off over three days, each sponsored by a local business. Teams include Havre Ford, Master Sports, Valley Furniture, Gallery Lounge, Koefod Agency and Bear Paw Credit Union. The majority of the teams are built up from local players, new and old, but Consul, a team from Canada, will also make the trip, and will also be sponsored by one of the six local business.

While the games are being played, 50-50 tickets will be sold, as well as concessions, and for those old enough, beer. The proceeds from 50-50 tickets, and from other sales, will be the key source of fundraising. And since one of the main goals for Shania’s Challenge is to promote awareness about helping friends make better decisions, the weekend would not be complete without a designated driver. A shuttle will be available Friday and Saturday nights to take fans and players from the field to their homes.

Games will begin Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Gallery Lounge vs. Havre Ford), and will continue at 8:15 p.m. (Koefod vs. Master Sports) and 10 p.m. (Valley Furniture vs. Bear Paw Credit Union). Saturday, action will resume at 10 a.m. (Bear Paw vs. Havre Ford), bringing six total games to Memorial Field. Games will be played at noon (Bear Paw vs. Koefod), 2 p.m. (Master Sports vs. Valley Furniture), 4 p.m. (Koefod vs. Gallery Lounge), 6 p.m. (Gallery Lounge vs. Valley Furniture), and 8 p.m. (Master Sports vs. Havre Ford). The teams will be given a seed for a bracket tournament Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m., and with the championship to be played at 4 p.m.

Players and fans interested in rosters and schedules can visit http://www.teamonthree.com/bpfastpitch.