It is no surprise George Arcand, executive director of Softball Yukon, is busy when called at his Whitehorse office.
“I’m just putting together the schedule now so I’m kind of trying to go into hiding for the next couple of days,” admits Arcand, when asked if now is a good time to chat.
The schedule Arcand is referencing is for the upcoming Dustball Invitational Slo-Pitch Tournament.
Arguably the Yukon’s most popular softball event of the year, “Dustball” features close to 70 teams from across the Yukon, Alaska and B.C. playing in a variety of divisions including co-ed, women and men.
Now in its 26th year, Arcand hesitantly admits he can remember the first Dustball tournament.
“We probably only had about 10 teams and this year we have 68 or so,” said Arcand. “So the popularity and growth is obviously the biggest change from that first year.”
With almost 70 teams participating this year, it is Arcand’s arduous job to pencil in a schedule that sees 190 games played over a four-day period.
Arcand says organizing Dustball is actually even more tasking than it was to put on last month’s very successful World Fast Pitch Championships.
“The Worlds was way easier because with that tournament we only had the two fields to worry about,” explains Arcand. “For Dustball, we have the complex, Takhini and Robert Service, so there is a lot more to think about in terms of scheduling.”
Arcand is quick to answer no when asked if this year there will be a Dustball dance.
Held in the past on the Saturday night, the dance hasn’t taken place in recent years as a result of the now infamous brawl that took place in 2006.
“Our focus is on the ball and the tournament and that is it,” said Arcand. “We will never do the dance again.”
One noticeable change with this year’s tournament is that the weekend schedule coincides with the popular Dawson City Music Festival.
Arcand says it is too bad that is the case but had no option with the World Championships being held.
“There might be a small group of folks that may miss the festival or Dustball but, overall, I think both events cater to completely different audiences,” said Arcand. “We still have 69 teams signed up after all!”
