For immediate distribution

With less than 80 days away till the 2009 Little League Canadian Championship, Val-d'Or minor league baseball and the organizing committee are stepping up their efforts in order to be ready to welcome the teams representing the Canadian provinces the week of August 7 to 15.

From August 7 to 15, Val-d’Or will host its first national championship for eleven and twelve year olds. For 10 days, players, coaches, parents and baseball fans will converge on our city, not only to see great baseball, but also to enjoy Val-d'Or's traditional hospitality.

Preparations for this event are well underway. Improvements to the field where all the games will be held are at 90% complete. The field surface has been redone, a new lighting system and a score board have been installed and two new dugouts as well as a service house have been built. These improvements will benefit all of the minor baseball teams in Val-d’Or that use this field each year

Since this type of event requires significant funding, the organizing committee are pleased to announce the addition of the following partners:

  • L’Écho and Le Citoyen
  • Qualitas
  • Promutuel L’Abitibienne
  • Gareau Auto
  • Énergie
  • RNC Média through GO Radio X and TQS
  • Val-d’Or Kiwanis Club
  • Eska
  • Aubé Pontiac Buick
  • Poirier & Fils
  • Autobus Maheux

The organizing committee would also like to announce, as a fund raiser activity, a new super draw, in collaboration with Promo-Vision Plus. Tickets for this fundraiser are $40 and participants have a chance to win:

1st price: 4 tickets to a Boston Red Sox game against Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park in Boston, including lodging for 2 nights, transportation and $500 of spending money
2nd price: 2 tickets to the Montreal Canadians (09-10 season), airfare from Val-d’Or and lodging included, courtesy of Air Creebec
3rd price: A Mini laptop Net PC, 9’8’’ screen, courtesy of CIA Informatique
4th price: Weekend fishing trip, courtesy of Sépaq

The draw will take place on August 15, 2009 during the championship final game at the Rotary Park. Tickets are available from members of the organizing committee and the Val-d’Or Baseball Minor League Commission at 819-825-2796.

Finally, the committee is appealing to the Val-d'Or population to apply as volunteers and billeting families. Billeting families allow us to offer the young ones a good night sleep and adequate meals during the event. In addition, it allows players to join the community and develop friendships as well as making this experience a “memorable experience” says Michel Leduc, Vice-Chairman of the event.

Volunteers are also needed for reception, security and transportation.

Families and individuals interested can communicate with the Val-d’Or Baseball Minor league Commission at 819-825-2796 or visit www.cbmvd.qc.ca

About the Championship

From August 7 to the 15th, Val-d’Or will host the Little League Canadian Championship where six teams from all over Canada, including the Val-d'Or Eagles as host team, will compete for the title of Canadian Champion and the right to represent Canada at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA August 21st to the 30th

About Little League

Little League Baseball was founded in 1939 in a small Pennsylvania town called Williamsport. Three teams participated in the first season and four the next year. In 1915, more than 150,000 players were enrolled in Little League throughout the USA. In 1966, the program grew to 1.6 million players and in 1986, to more than 2.5 million players throughout the world. Today more than 3 million children in more than 80 countries play baseball in Little League. Canada joined Little League in 1951 and will celebrate its 45th anniversary as a registered organization with the Canadian government in 2009. The Val-d'Or Baseball Minor League had the honour of joining Little League in 2005.

Information:
Michel Leduc, Vice-Chairman
Canadian Little League Baseball Championship Val-d’Or 2009
819-824-1333, ext. 270