The Prince George Knights will get the chance to swing for provincial glory on home soil.
From Aug. 8-11, the Knights will be the host team for the B.C. Minor Baseball Association peewee triple-A provincial championship tournament. The event has been awarded to the city, the announcement made Thursday by the Prince George Youth Baseball Association.
The peewee triple-A provincials are considered the most prestigious of the BCMBA championships. The peewee division is for 11- and 12-year-olds, the age commonly associated with Little League.
The PGYBA switched from Little League affiliation to B.C. Minor affiliation a few years ago and is thrilled to be hosting a tournament of this calibre.
"This is not only the first time our peewee Knights team will be hosting the triple-A level tournament, it will be the first time Prince George will play in the triple-A peewee provincials," said PGYBA president Todd Patterson. "We've been in double-A since moving to B.C. Minor. This is the crown jewel tournament for B.C. Minor and it will be here in Prince George."
All games will be held at Volunteer Park in the Hart Highlands area of the city. Aug. 12 will be used as a rain date, if necessary.
Last summer, the IDL midget Knights hosted their age group's double-A provincials and slugged their way to gold.
"We hope the peewee Knights have the same kind of success," Patterson said.
Ten teams will compete in the peewee provincials. Debbie Augaitis is serving as chair of the tournament, which will be presented with support from the World Baseball Challenge Society.
The WBC -- held in Prince George in 2009 and 2011 -- will return this summer. Dates and participating teams are expected to be announced by the end of March.
n Sign-up for youth baseball will happen Saturday (9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 5 p.m.) at Pine Centre Mall. Players will also be able to register on March 10 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Kin Centre atrium.
