The tournament will kick off with the annual Hall of Fame introduction ceremonies at 6 p.m., followed by the dedication of the tournament to Mark and Linda Aubin, whom were heavily involved with the tournament during its early years.

The first game of the tournament will immediately follow, in a contest that will feature Team Quebec of Donnacona, Quebec against the AuSable Forks Brewers led by pitcher Andrew Bombard and sluggers Kodi Gordon and Kyle Nolan.

The second game, at 9 p.m., is between the Axemen of Kingston, Ontario and Team 518 of Amsterdam. Tournament play will feature some of the best fast-pitch players in the world competing in the nine team round robin format.

Games will be played all day on Saturday, July 13 starting at 9 a.m. with the use of two fields. Team Sandlot of Stevens, Pennsylvania will take on Miller’s Meat Market of Croghan on the first field while Team 518 will play the Quebec Juniors of St. Leonard D’Aston, Quebec at 10 a.m. on the second field. Games on Sunday, July 14, will begin at 9 a.m. with the championship game scheduled for 3 p.m.

“The tournament committee has worked extremely hard over the last several months to put a quality field of teams together,” Tournament spokesman Randy Douglas said.

For the last several years the AuSable Forks tournament has served as a qualifier for the International Softball Congress World Tournament, with this year’s winner earning an automatic bid to next year’s world tournament. That tournament will be held from July 26 through Aug. 2, 2025 at a site yet to be determined.

“With so much at stake now most of the teams are lobbying to bring along with them some of the best pitchers in the world,” tournament Director Adam Coolidge said.

The tournament has seen some top notch throwers from all over the world including from the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Mexico and Australia.

“Our tournament is an open tournament meaning anyone can come play with any team that they want,” Douglas said.

The Dick Crahan memorial concession stand and the Dave Connell memorial beer stand will be open all weekend. There will be 50/50 raffles all weekend.

The third year the softball throw contest will take place. The field maintenance crew has been hard at work preparing the field and repairing worn out bleachers. Infield improvements are scheduled for the fall of this year.

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Hall of fame class

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The AuSable Forks Fast-Pitch Softball Association recently announced the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees.

The Hall of Fame class includes: Chris Bresee, Bob Meconi, Larry Razzano, Dick Crahan, Mickey Fauvelle, Doug Casselman, Ed Pendt, Francis “Duke” Latourelle, Stanton Loya Sr. and Lester Fessette.

Bresee was the 1981 and 1990 Tournament Most Valuable Player and the 1990 MV pitcher for the Cardinal Pats/Red Sox.

Meconi was a local exceptional pitcher and infielder who played in the AuSable Forks league for Sharkey’s, 20 Main and the AuSable Forks Jaycees. He was also a past tournament committee member, and league president.

Razzano first played in the AuSable Forks Tournament in 1972 for Perry Lanes of Johnstown. Since then, he has attended the tournament every year and has been a huge financial contributor. Razzano has sponsored five tournament champions.

Crahan was the tournament food administrator for over 30 years as well a tournament committee board member.

Fauvelle was a two time tournament MVP in 1991 and 1995 for the South Trenton Pub/Roosters teams. Fauvelle played on seven championship teams including South Trenton and Razzano Trucking.

Casselman was the tournament MVP for the 1985 and 1986 Williamsburg, Ontario Pioneers championship teams while in his 40’s.

Pendt was the 1974 and 1975 tournament MVP for the Mechanicville Merchants championship teams from Mechanicville.

Latourelle was the 1964 Tournament MVP playing for the tournament champion Keeseville Merchants.

Loya Sr. is considered by many as the best AuSable Forks league pitcher ever, leading the way for several championship teams of Gordon’s Deli/Oil and AuSable Chasm.

Fessette was a 2023 inductee who will be included in the 2024 ceremonies as his family members were unable to attend the 2023 festivities. Fessette played for Sharkey’s and was a skilled pitcher, a fierce competitor and was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers.