The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Passing through the teams one by one in the round robin play of the Slo Pitch Provincial Tournament in Saskatoon, Flin Flon's own Burkees Bedlam claimed first place. The 12 local athletes started the tournament off with two games in the round robin play Ð an 8-4 win over a team from Saskatoon and an 11-6 victory over a team from Regina Ð before moving onto the quarter-finals and starting the play of bracket. The team stepped up their game and won 16-9 over a team from Moose Jaw. In the semi-finals, the local team was paired up against another team from Saskatoon, with Burkees winning 28-12. Chad Trumbley, a member of the team, says the the Bedlam really came alive in the semi-final game. "Everyone hit very well and we were able to get it done in five innings," he says, noting that the mercy rule was then invoked. From there, Burkees was set to take on the Regina Trappers in the final game. Trumbley says they saved their best for the last as they beat the Trappers 15-3 to become the Provincial champions. Up next for the team, they have to wait for the National championship, which takes place next August in Winnipeg. Taking a look back to day one, Trumbley says the team had a "really good season, all things considered." With weather being a tough bullet to dodge, the team was still able to work together and get the job done. "We haven't won in a couple years, so it was nice to have (it) again," he says. Burkees Bedlam last took the Provincial title in 2004, although they were in the finals last year as well. "It was nice to get over that hump and win that championship again," says Trumbley. Aside from earning the top nods in Saskatchewan, a few of their players were called upon. Cory Grant received the male MVP award for their team while Crystal Springer earned herself the female MVP award. Trumbley says while those two deserved the award, "pretty well the whole team was a candidate." "Everyone had a phenomenal weekend."
