The 8th annual Peter DeVries invitational finally got under way Friday evening after being rained out on the opening day on Thursday. The games at John Fry Park (JFP) needed a lot of work to get the diamond ready to play. Many thanks to the players from the Edmonton Cardinals and the tournament volunteers who shovelled and raked the shale to get the diamond into game shape. A special thanks goes to Connor O’Hara, groundskeeper at JFP and former Cardinal player for the leadership and effort he provided in order for diamonds to be ready for play.

In play in the Badger Pool at JFP, the Calgary Blues took a 4-0 lead, but had to hold off a couple of rallies by the Sherwood Park Dukes in order to secure a 4-2 win. Player of the Game selection for the Calgary Blues was #30, Jamie Whitehead and for the Sherwood Park Dukes, #7 Brandon Hines.

At Goldstick Park, the Chorney Pool got under way with the Calgary PBF Redbirds defeating the Calgary Longhorns 6-4. Player of the Game selection for the Calgary PBF Redbirds was #16 Jason Field and for the Calgary Longhorns, #18 Devan Constance.

Play will continue Saturday and Sunday at both parks, with the final scheduled for 4:30 pm at JFP. Weather looks like it will be a factor most of the weekend. Tournament organizers will do their best to ensure the teams will get to play as many games as possible depending on the rain and the condition of the diamonds. With any luck, the showers will miss both parks, and the tournament will go on as scheduled.