After an absence of one year, the Rick McDonald Memorial Ball Tournament returned for its 10th anniversary this past weekend at the Rick McDonald Memorial Park in Azilda.
The tournament, which is held in honour of Rick McDonald — an officer killed in the line of duty — was cancelled for the first time in nine years last year following a horrific car accident that killed Danny McDonald, brother of Rick and one of the main organizers of the tournament.
Slo-pitch and fastball teams returned to the fields once again in 2009, in memory of both Rick and Danny. Police force teams from as far as York,Ottawa and Niagara participate in the tournament each year.
In the co-ed slo-pitch section, eight police teams competed, with the Sudbury OPP facing the Prevost team in the championship final. In a tightly contested game, the OPP came out on top 11-7.
Nine teams took part in the fastball division of the tournament. In the championship match between JB Red Soxs and the Sagamok crew, it became a pitchers duel for the first three innings as the game was tied at 1-1. JB closed it out with a 7-4 victory and the championship title for the tournament.
