After cancellation last year, the World Baseball Challenge is scheduled to step back to the plate this summer. But for the tournament to actually happen, chairman Rick Pattie said $100,000 in cash must be raised before Aug. 12, opening day.
So far, according to Pattie, about half that amount has been generated.
"I'm maintaining a positive outlook (the tournament) is going," he said. "If we don't carry this through this year, we will be done. We will not be able to attract any teams. There's no doubt that the 2015 cancellation hurt us.
"I want this to be a success and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen," he added. "If I have to go out and sell hot dogs on the street, that's what I'm going to do."
Pattie said the overall budget for the 2016 WBC, not including in-kind contributions, is $350,000.
The World Baseball Challenge was first held in Prince George in 2009 and made return appearances in 2011 and 2013. The 2013 tournament was nearly shelved because of a financial shortfall but was saved by some last-minute donations and in-kind contributions that totaled about $45,000.
In 2015, teams from Canada, the United States, the Bahamas, Japan and Cuba were supposed to compete for the title but WBC organizers were forced to pull the plug on the event due to a lack of sponsorship dollars. A soft economy and the financial drain on local businesses by the 2015 Canada Winter Games were cited as factors.
For this year's WBC - slated to run until Aug. 20 at Citizen Field - three clubs have confirmed their participation to date. Canada is to be represented by Calgary Sidearm Nation, which Pattie said is a semi-professional team stocked with sidearm pitchers. As well, the Bahamas and Japan have committed to attend.
Pattie said a U.S. team formed by players from the Pacific Coast Collegiate League is expected to contact him by the end of the week regarding its possible involvement. And Pattie is in ongoing discussions with the Cuban Baseball Federation.
"We need to hear back from Cuba," he said. "We're at a standstill because they haven't determined the start of their season. They may start it earlier due to the Caribbean World Series, so that they can have their league finished by the time the Caribbean World Series starts (in February)."
On the sponsorship side of the equation, Pattie said Tourism Prince George has thrown its support behind the 2016 WBC, as have local businesses like Forest Power Sports, Michael's Jewellers and the Home Hardware group. Currently, the tournament does not have a title sponsor.
Pattie said the WBC is "actively seeking" more sponsors but added that they have been tough to find.
"We have lots of (proposals) out there, we're just waiting for people to make their decisions," he said. "The state of the economy absolutely does not help. I won't lie, it's been slow."
To create a different source of revenue, the WBC committee is raffling off a Harley Davidson motorcycle worth $22,000.
"It should bring in, after expenses, about $35,000," Pattie said. "There are 3,000 tickets, $20 a ticket, and we're over a third sold."
As for tournament tickets, they are not yet available because Pattie wants to first have a clearer picture on the number of participating teams. He said passes will soon be on sale through the World Baseball Challenge website (worldbaseball.ca) and via paypal. Unlike previous years, buying through Ticketmaster will not be an option.
The 2016 WBC also requires a larger force of volunteers. Pattie said about 20 people have signed up, and 40 to 60 are needed. Those interested in helping out are asked to make contact via the website or to send an email to [email protected].
Another major tournament is already a go for this summer. The Canadian Native Fastball Championships will be held in Prince George from July 29 to Aug. 1.
By Pattie's estimation, the first three editions of the World Baseball Challenge pumped $7 million into the local economy.
