The Mount Forest Rookies had to battle 11 other teams and Mother Nature to take the title at the year end tournament, held for the first time on home turf.
Mount Forest Minor Ball applied to host the WOAA sanctioned event and was awarded the opportunity before the start of the season, according to President Rich MacVicar. For several years, the tournament was held in Teeswater, and last year it was held in Fordwich.
“The executive asked if we could host it, and our bid was successful,” said MacVicar. “It has been an honour to host this event for WOAA.”
Rachel Cook, WOAA convenor for the Rookie division, said weather did become a consideration for the tournament.
“We had one gamed delayed on the B side, but the coaches on the A side agreed to go ahead and play through it,” said Cook, referring to the serious soaking the young players experienced on the Kin and Optimist diamonds in Mount Forest.
“I think it's great having the tournament style wrap-up to the season,” she said. “Parents enjoy getting the season wrapped up in one day rather than in a play-down format.”
The road to winning wouldn't have made much difference to the Mount Forest Rookies, who took a serious approach to the winning hardware.
Facing Fordwich first, they made an impact with a 33-11 final, followed by a lopsided 24-1 cakewalk over Durham. Teeswater looked like they could slow them down, but were felled by a 22-12 count; and it was Cargill in the final who saw Mount Forest secure the 2010 title by a score of 23-8.