The Wetzel Chronicle’s Relay For Life slowpitch softball tournament is coming up June 10-12 weekend to raise money for the Wetzel County Relay For Life.

This tournament is like no other. A 15-person team bats all 15 players each inning. Extra batters may be sent to the plate each inning for $5 each. There is a 1:15 hour time limit per game, with each team allowing 10 of the 15 team members to play the field. Substitutions are unlimited.

Each batter goes to the plate with a 3-2 count, so each at-bat allows only one one opportunity to hit the ball. Pitchers will pitch to their own teams, as well as to opponents.

The event, dubbed “Let’s Strike Out Cancer,” encourages teams to go out and get a sponsor to contribute for every strike out, run or hit that a team achieves. This is a fun tournament and rules will be applied to keep the game fun for everyone. Some innings will feature “poizen” fields, some batters will use walkers to run the bases and other comical features will be at hand to enjoy watching.

In addition, after the last batter of every inning, fans can try to help the teams out and buy an at-bat for $5, with all proceeds going to Relay For Life.

Concessions will be available for purchase, but there is no charge for spectators. However, donations will be gratefully accepted.

The two top teams in two different brackets in a double elimination tournament will move on to play for first place. Awards will be given out to the first place team; to the player who hits the most home runs; the pitcher that strikes out the most batters; and to the MVP of the tournament.

Those who would like to play but don’t have a team will be placed on a team for an entry fee of $10 per person.

Teams involved in the Wetzel Chronicle “Strike Out Cancer” softball tournament include last years winner, Wetzel County Hospital.

But, New Martinsville’s finest SWAT and the popular St. Vincent teams will try not to let that happen this year.

Other teams registered for the event include the Thumpin’ Gizzards, WVNCC, Ash’s Angels, Kelly’s Hero’s, Popeye and Company, Group of High School Kids, a second WCH team and, of course, the Wetzel Chronicle team.

Please come out and support the relay for life softball tournament and get involved helping fight cancer. And, have a good time at same time.

*****

The softball tournament starts on June 10 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hydro baseball field with last years champion WCH taking on the Thumpin Gizzards. At 6 p.m. the kids from WVNCC will try to get by Myers Auto. Then the S.W.A.T. team will take aim to take out the Magnolia Elite at 7:30 p.m. and the last game has WCH girls team play Ash’s Angels at 9 p.m. The losers will have a chance to keep on playing, while the two teams Wetzel Chronicle and St. Vincent DePaul will half to win to stay alive.

On Sat. June 11, at 9 a.m. loser of SWAT/MHS Elite will play the loser of WCH/Thumpin Gizzards; and the loser of WVNCC/Myers Auto will play the loser of WCH/Ash’s Angels at 10:45 a.m. St. Vincent will play the winner of game of losers bracket at 12:15 p.m.; and Wetzel Chronicle will play the winner of the losers bracket at 1:45 p.m.

Other games to be played will be every hour and 45 minutes, with the last game starting at 8:45 p.m.

On Sunday the losers of game the 7 p.m. and the 9 p.m. game will play for third place at 1 p.m.

The Championship game will start at 3 p.m. and will play 7 innings with many – many rules to keep the championship game as fun as all the other games.

If it rains and the tournament is cancelled there is no make up date.