Smaller field for annual Emeralds softball tourney

The Daily Inter Lake

The Glacier Emeralds Invitational fastpitch softball tournament field will be a little bit leaner but much more manageable this year with 17 teams competing in three divisions - 10U, 12U and 14U - this weekend at Kidsports Complex.

Play begins Friday at 6 p.m. with three games, all involving local teams.

Action resumes Saturday at 8 a.m. and Sunday, also at 8. Championship games on the final day will begin at 1:15 p.m.

Teams are guaranteed four games - three in pool play and at least one on Sunday. All the action will be confined to three fields at the complex.

Admission is $25 for a family pass. Single tickets are $10. Youngsters 6-and-under are admitted free.

This annual event normally attracts 34 teams, but with Kalispell also hosting the state tournament the following weekend, the invitational field has literally been cut in half.

"A lot of teams didn't want to come twice," tournament director Brian Wiley said.

So they passed on the invitational, but will be here for state.

Teams entered this weekend are from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Cranbrook, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.

The Glacier Emeralds will have four teams competing - one in 10U, two in 12U (Green and White) and one in 14U. Teams from Columbia Falls, Libby and Polson are also entered.

The 10U Emeralds are 17-0 on the season and have already claimed tournament titles in Great Falls, Polson and Helena. They finished third last year in the invitational.

The 12U Emeralds Green team won the Helena tournament and finished second in Great Falls.

On Friday, there will be just one round of games - 10U Emeralds vs. Cour d'Alene Crush; 12U Emeralds Green vs. 12U Emeralds White; and 14U Emeralds vs. Columbia Falls Wildcats.