Slo-Pitch tourney gives back

The Victoria Day long weekend is full of many activities throughout the region, but a softball tournament on Saturday took centre stage at the Barrie Community Sports Complex.

The Slo-Pitch for Special Olympics took place yesterday and was a success all around with just over $6,000 raised through registration, raffle and 50/50 draws to help the Barrie Select Special Olympics fund their trip to the 2017 Special Olympics Provincial Summer Games. The Provincials are being held jointly in Brampton and Mississauga from July 13-16 and will see top teams from all over Ontario vying for medals in different sports. Dustin Agar is a Barrie native who decided to mix his two passions in order to help get the Barrie Selects to the Games.

“I play a lot of in the ball community here and three years ago I became coach of a Special Olympics softball team,” said Agar. “Combining the two passions of mine lead me to want to put together a tournament that could help further benefit those who need the assistance.”

Mother Nature held up her end of the bargain for the day as the skies were nothing but sunny and blue. Sixteen teams competed in the event that ran from 8 a.m. to around 8 p.m. All teams had a Special Olympics athlete playing with them which made the day all the more of a reminder of why the folks were there.

“I have a friend whose brother is special needs and she coaches a lot and that was the connection that got me involved,” said Agar. “I play so much ball over the year and realize that other than doing that I have so much free time so I decided to get involved and help.”

Agar, himself, was unable to play because he was kept very busy with organizational tasks. He was also very proud of and thankful for all the volunteers who gave up playing time to help make the day as great as it could be.

“Everyone was so good today and leading up to it,” said Agar. “There is no doing this alone and while it tortured me not to be out on the field, it did so for everyone else who couldn’t either. Now, we look around and see how much fun everyone is having and how much we all did to benefit the athletes headed to the Provincials and it just puts a smile on my face.”

The winners of the actual tournament were the team donned in pink, Baby Got Bats.