StettlerLocal.com September 21, 2021 @ 4:10pm
The ‘For Heaven’s Sake’ Slo-Pitch Tournament has been a Stettler tradition for the past 8 years and is a popular event for the many returning teams.
On the second weekend in September, the tournament takes up all 3 diamonds at the West Stettler Sports Park as well as the diamond next to the Skate Park. The tournament is complete with cash prizes for the top 4 teams and prizes ranging from customized tumblers to sweaters and jackets.
The memorial tournament was started by Desirae Perry, and her husband Cole Atkinson after they suffered a devastating loss in 2013. Desirae and Cole were expecting twin girls in 2013 but a rare condition caused Desirae to be rushed in for an emergency C-section. One of the twins, ‘Heaven’ did not survive. By 2014, Desirae and Cole decided they wanted to do something in memory of Heaven.
Desirae said that she and Cole wanted to give back to those who had helped them in their time of need. They came up with the idea of a charity tournament as a way to give back to places like NICU Red Deer, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and wanted to be able to support groups and charities within the community as well.
The first year, they had 10 teams who all played in early snow. The next season saw about twenty teams, and the tournament has grown to around 30-32 teams a year. Perry says that many of the teams have been coming since the start. One team, the Smokin’ Jays, travels from Chetwynd, BC every year. Event volunteers say that as a show of respect, local Stettler players put together a team and travel to Chetwynd for one of their annual tournaments.
The participating teams are great supporters of the cause with many of them donating their winnings back to the tournament. This year was no different as all 4 of the top teams handed back their winnings after the pictures were taken.
As for support, Desirae says the local community is incredible. They have a long list of corporate sponsors who donate money or prizes for the silent auction each year. Some of them even donate more than the price set to display their banners during the tournament. They also get amazing support from the town for whom Desirae works.
“Our community is fantastic. Our Ball community is fantastic. Our Ball family is fantastic.” Desirae Perry.
Although it is a fun tournament, Desirae says they do hire NSA Canada umpires to officiate. It helps that the teams who don’t have to volunteer players to umpire other games during the tournament. The NSA umpires this year also made a donation to the tournament at the end of the weekend.
Carson Ellis, Reporter
StettlerLocal.com