Fun and Festivities on 16th Canada Cup Lineup!

The Canada Cup brings many of the best women's fastpitch players in the world to Softball City while showcasing the next generation of talented young women and the Special Olympians whose passion is unmatched. But there's more than just great softball during the nine day event as a line up of activities for all ages will be available to keep fans busy in between games. It kicks off the day before the opening pitch with two kids’ clinics on July 3 and gets in full swing with the Opening Ceremonies on July 5. Contests and promotions will also be sprinkled in along the way. All of the following activities take place at Softball City in Surrey, BC.

NOW/ Canada Cup/Team Canada Kids’ Clinic, Friday, July 3. Children nine to 14 will join some of the best players in the nation for the NOW/Canada Cup/Team Canada Kids' Clinic from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Softball City. Net proceeds from the clinic will go to Team Canada. The clinic fee is $35.00 CAD per child. Each child receives a free t-shirt as well as a general admission Canada Cup ticket for NOW Opening Day, Saturday, July 4.  Space is restricted and pre-registration and pre-payment is mandatory by June 26, 2009. Click here for further and updated information on all the Canada Cup Kids’ Softball Clinics or call 604.536.9287.

Softball BC/Canada Cup Learn to Play Softball Clinic, Friday, July 3. Girls and boys, aged four to eight, are signing up to come out and learn the softball basics, as well as share some of the softball experiences of the country’s top players, as they take part in the Softball BC/Canada Cup Learn to Play Softball Clinic. The clinic will take place at Softball City on Friday July 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Each child participating in this clinic will also receive a free t-shirt as well as a general admission Canada Cup ticket for both NOW Opening Day, Saturday, July 4. The clinic fee is $20.00 CAD per child.  Net proceeds from the clinic will go to Team Canada.

NOW/Boston Pizza Day at the Canada Cup is Saturday, July 4. Also on Opening Day is the NOW Seniors' Day. Look in the NOW Newspaper on Tuesday, June 30 for the Free Senior's (61 plus) Admission coupon good for July 4.

The nine members of the Now/Shaw TV Honorary Kids' Team, children six to 12, will have the chance to take centre stage for a moment on opening day as well. Players who had their names drawn at random through a contest with the NOW Newspaper and Shaw TV make up the team. Each player will be introduced on the field with Team Canada prior to the 3:30 p.m. Team Canada game on Opening Day.

The Coast Capital Savings presents The Coast Capital Connection Trivia Contest.  Listen every day for the Coast Capital Connection trivia question and submit the correct answer on site.  You could win a Nintendo Wii Sports.

Stretch your legs and vocal chords to the tune of Take Me Out to the Ball Game during the fifth inning stretch of select 6:30 p.m. games on Diamond 1. Minor team coaches or players can show their enthusiasm and team spirit by entering a minimum five-member team in the Take Me Out to the Ball Game event. Each team chosen will lead the crowd as they sing their own version of the old ballpark classic.
           
Don't forget to enter Global BC’s Canada Cup Contest! A grand prize winner will be selected from all entries and a special prize awarded.
       
Coast Capital Savings Day is Sunday, July 5 and features the thrill of the official opening ceremonies at 4 p.m. Sunday afternoon with the parade of athletes, dignitaries, entertainment followed of course by simply great softball.
       
Wednesday, July 8 is Youth Day.  As part of Youth Day, Learn to Play teams will be introduced on-field with select teams participating in a demonstration. Youth Day??
         
An autograph session will take place following the 6:30 p.m. Team Canada game on Thursday, July 9, The Province Newspaper Canada Day.

The nine days of competition culminates with Sunday's extensive grand-slam playoff schedule.  It is where champions play.  It all winds up, of course, with the grand finale - the Canada Cup Women's Championship final at 6:30 p.m., Sunday July 12.

The Canada Cup International Fastpitch Futures World Junior Championship final presented by MVP Athletic Supplies is at 4 p.m., and the Canada Cup 16U Fastpitch Showcase Tournament final is at 11:00 a.m.  After the dust settles, the top athletes of the tournament will be awarded honours in the Canada Cup Championship closing ceremonies.  *The Special Olympics Friendship Division Championship final is Sunday, July 5 at 6:30pm on Diamond 2.

For information on Canada Cup tickets and other tournament information call 604-536-9287 or visit www.canadacup.com for other tournament information.  Events, promotions and schedules are subject to change.