In the Prince George sporting community, the name Potskin in synonymous with fastball.
The Budskin clan is slightly less famous, but with nine of them playing together this weekend in the Native Canadian Fastball Championships for the Prince George Freshii Hitmen, they'll have a chance to make a name for themselves in the 28-team senior men's tournament.
Decked out in royal blue jerseys, courtesy of their sponsor Freshii, which just opened a healthy-choice fast-food restaurant at River Point Mall, the Hitmen are making their first appearance at the native nationals since 2008. They won the B-division title in 2004, playing on their home diamond at Spruce City Stadium.
The Hitmen were a late entry, entering the event just after the Canada Day native tournament.
Drawn together with their seven cousins a couple months ago while attending the funeral of their aunt, Linda Burman, brothers Peter and Doug Budskin first discussed the idea of forming a team to challenge for the national title and they've been cramming for the tournament ever since.
"We started playing together 20 years ago, all the younger boys started playing in the juniors in P.G and we put the adults together and we've been playing ever since then," said Peter Budskin.
"We went with guys we played together with all the time."
The team includes Peter and Doug's first cousins - Eddie, Jason, Bucko (Michael), J.R., Craig, Kurtis and Marvin Budskin.
The non-Budskins are pitchers Norm Linton and Tyrell Turgeon, Montana Turgeon, Robbie Antoine, Brian Byrd and Kevin Steinhauser. All the Hitmen players have "L.B. Memory" stitched on their ballcaps, a tribute to their aunt Linda, who was an avid fastball fan.
"When she passed away that's what really started us back up together again," said Peter. "She loved ball. She would be pacing up and down the stairs and if somebody was late, she would be phoning them and giving them trouble."
It's been eight years since they last played together as a team but the Hitmen showed they still know how to play the game. They beat Moricetown 12-6 in their opener Friday.
The Hitmen will take on Kainai Tribe in their next game today at 8 a.m. at Spruce City Stadium.
The River Kings, the other Prince George entry in the senior men's division, faced Ashcroft in a late game Friday night. Results of that game were unavailable at presstime.
The senior men's final is scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m. at Spruce City Stadium.
