A photo of one of the crowds at Rotary Field in Prince Albert during the Men's Softball World Cup Group B qualifiers in July 2024. (Sr. Men's Softball Worlds 2025/Facebook)

By Logan Lehmann

Fun for everyone

A look at what’s happening off the field at the Men’s Softball World Cup

Jul 3, 2025 | 6:00 AM

As eight of the best men’s softball teams travel from around the world to Prince Albert, the last of the preparations are being made both on and off the field.

Along with the games scheduled to be played at the 18th Men’s Softball World Cup, many events and activities are planned to happen both in between and during the contests, which includes a little bit of something for everyone.

World Cup Bid Committee Chair Ian Litzenberger said the excitement is growing.

“We’ve continued to make some investments to offer a world class facility,” he explained. “This year, we’re going to have what’s known as the Mr. Mike’s Sound Stage, so we’re going to have live music between games each day. We have a family fun zone this year with bouncy castles and a bunch of kid friendly games, and a bunch of food, food trucks, food vendors – something for all the fans.”

He added that all musical acts and food vendors will be local to the Prince Albert area, and will feature live performances from Dave Arsenault on Tuesday, Mystery Train on Wednesday, Kris Klyne on Thursday, Larry Krause on Friday, The Pretty Goods on Saturday, and they’ll wrap up with Roland Corrigal on Championship Sunday.

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Fireworks are also scheduled for Tuesday and Friday, both at 10:30 p.m.

Friday won’t just be another day at the tournament either, as the organization committee has renamed it to Bruce Vance Day, honouring a prominent figure in softball and the community who passed away from cancer last year.

“I mean, there’s one word that probably sums him up in the softball community, and that would be a ‘legend’,” said Litzenberger. “He was very avid in softball and sports as a whole, and community was probably two-thirds of his passion outside of sports and his family. Whether it was with the Raiders, the Esso Cup, our World Championships, the Junior Worlds, any piece of that puzzle – nationals, provincials, anything, he always seemed to be a part of it and was always a key part of it.”

Vance was heavily involved as a coach within the Prince Albert Aces and Astros softball programs, and was a founding member of Girls Prairie League Softball, a competitive minor softball league with teams in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

To help commemorate the special day, volunteers working the World Cup will wear a symbolic patch in his memory and, as previously mentioned, a fireworks show will be held in his honour following the last game.

The first pitch of the 18th Men’s Softball World Cup in Prince Albert is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday when the Dominican Republic faces off with Japan. Canada will play their first game later that same day at 8:30 p.m. when they do battle with New Zealand. All games are played at Rotary Field in Prime Ministers Park.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @loganlehmann.bsky.social