The Wetzel Chronicle announces the annual “Strike Out Cancer” Relay For Life Slow Pitch Softball Tournament at Hydro Field in New Martinsville June 14-16. The event will be in a two-bracket pool play, or a double elimination format, depending on the number of entries and the weather.

The entry fee for this tournament is $10 per player with a minimum of 15 players per team. There is a non-refundable $25 fee to hold a spot in the tournament, with a 16-team limit. Teams must submit a roster before the first game is to played. Rosters should be brought to or mailed to Bruce Crawford, Wetzel Chronicle, 1100 Third St., New Martinsville, WV 26155. Email is sports@wetzelchronicle.com.

Teams can have 10 players on the field and can substitute freely, with each team batting up to 15 players each inning. A team’s pitcher is allowed only one throw per batter. Rules will be enforced to keep every game fun. Every team can buy up to two additional batter each inning for $5 each. Plus, fans may bat, also for $5 each.

Every batter comes to the plate with a 3-2 count, including the 15th batter and anyone paying to bat. All foul balls are considered outs and there is a 75-minute limit for all games. In case of a tie, the best of three coin tosses will determine the winner. There will be no smoking or alcohol allowed at the park. Anyone caught will be asked to leave and may be subjected to a penalty.

In addition to an award for the winning team, an MVP award will go to a player who has the most fun and who personifies the courage and determination needed to Strike Out cancer.

To secure a spot in the annual Strike Out Cancer Softball Tournament, contact Bruce Crawford at the Wetzel Chronicle Sports Department, 304-455-3300. Deadline is May 30. Early registrations are encouraged, as only the first 16 teams who pay a $25 deposit will be eligible to participate.

For the registration fee, teams will receive five luminaries that may be used at the Relay For Life Event June 21-22 at the Magnolia High School track.

The balance of the registration fee is due before a team can play its first scheduled game and there are no exceptions made for this provision. There will be no rain out date.

A list of games and times will be in the Wetzel Chronicle Sport pages June 12.

If you don’t have a team to play for, you are still encouraged to participate by contacting Crawford, 304-455-3300, who will find a team for persons not having one.

Checks should be made payable to Wetzel County Relay For Life. Don’t delay. Sign up now.

In previous years, the Wetzel Chronicle relay team raised as much as $2,000 from the tournament.