The Nanaimo Breakers will try make sure the breaks go their way at the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship.
The midget B softball team is entered in the major tournament in Surrey this coming weekend (July 4-5).
"It's a good tournament; lots of good ball," said Mark Fletcher, coach of the Breakers. "Everybody's trying to get ready for provincials or state championships."
The Breakers are in the Futures Select division, and even though they have a full slate of games, there will be opportunity to watch some of the international exhibitions.
"So we can finish up a game and then walk over and watch Japan and the United States playing a game," said Fletcher. "It's awesome to see that kind of ball."
The Breakers have been competing in the event every year and it's always an exciting atmosphere, said Nicole Foglietta, one of the Nanaimo players.
"It's interesting to see all the different teams [from] different places because you see how they play…" she said. "It's incredible watching their passion behind it."
On the field, the Breakers will face top teams including the sort of opposition they'll be facing at provincial championships in Nanaimo later this month. So the Canadian Open tourney comes at the perfect time.
"It shows us what we have to work on. That's the best thing about playing the best teams; it shows us where we are standing," Foglietta said. "Even though we are from the Island, we're not a little wimpy team, we're still someone to be reckoned with. It's great to see how we're doing and who we compare to."
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