The event will officially kick off on Friday, July 11, at 6:15 p.m. with the dedication of the tournament, followed by the singing of the U.S. and Canadian National Anthems by Serena Brandt and the presentation of the flags by the Saranac American Legion Post #1618 Color Guard. After the opening ceremony, the first tournament game will begin at approximately 7 p.m. and will feature the home team, AuSable Forks Brewers vs the Quebec Juniors from St. Leonard D’Aston, Quebec.

Some of the local talent playing for the Brewers are standout pitchers from the AuSable Forks league, Andrew Bombard and Nick McDonald, along with other players such as Kyle Nolan, Dalton McDonald, Bernie Laduke, Adam Coolidge, A.J. Gordon, Ryan Thomas, Brandon Snow and Carson Garcia.

The second game Friday night should be a real battle as it’s a rematch of the Finals between last year’s Champion Team 518 from Amsterdam and Team Quebec from Donnacona, Quebec, Canada. Team 518 is currently ranked 11th by the International Softball Congress and will be returning 2024 AuSable Forks Tournament Most Valuable Pitcher Arturo Valdez, from Mexico.

The eight-team round robin format will resume bright and early Saturday, July 12, at 9 a.m. with the use of two fields. On field No. 1, the C.P.I. Bucks from Croghan will face Team Sandlot from Stevens, Pennsylvania. Team Sandlot is currently ranked 14th by the ISC and will be led by the 2023 tournament’s Most Valuable Pitcher, Erick Chaparro, from Venezuela.

The 9 a.m. contest on field No. 2 will feature the Quebec U-23 team from Quebec City, Canada vs. Adirondack Steelworks from Croghan.

“Our tournament committee has put together an incredibly talented lineup for the fans to enjoy,” Tournament Director Adam Coolidge said. “This will be the first time in our tournament history that fans will be able to witness three of the top teams from Canada competing with the Quebec Jr. team, the U-23 team and the men’s team Quebec all battling it out in preparation for the Canadian Championships later this year.”

The tournament will take a break in the action on Saturday, July 12 at 12:30 p.m. to induct this year’s 2025 Hall Fame Inductees. They include: Yvon Goneau, the 1980, 1982 and 1983 tournament MVP; Mike Branchaud, the 1988 Tournament MVP pitcher who went on to be one of the star attractions for Eddie Feigner’s legendary traveling King and his Court team; Mike Deraway, 2008 Tournament MVP, and a seven-time tournament champion; Brent Isham (deceased) a tremendous AuSable Forks league player who played an amazing third base and had tremendous hitting power; Gary Barber (deceased), the 1972 Tournament MVP, hit some of the longest home runs in tournament history; Bill Gilmore, the 1968 and 1969 tournament MVP was an incredible pitcher who began his pitching career at the age of 15 and was soon known World Wide for his skills; Dave Connell (deceased) was a member of our tournament committee, liquid refreshment director and namesake for Dave’s Den still in operation here at the field today. Connell was also the owner and sponsor of all 20 main teams.

Also being recognized this year is 2024 inductee Francis “Duke” Latourelle (deceased), as his family was unable to attend last year’s ceremony. Duke was the tournament MVP for the 1964 Keeseville Merchants championship team. The HOF ceremonies will take place on the infield of field No. 1, where these legendary former players delighted the fans with their talents for decades.

Following the inductions, tournament play will resume with games played late into the evening Saturday night, with the semi-finals beginning on Sunday, July 13 at 9 a.m., with the championship game scheduled for 1 p.m. The Tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2026 World Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario.

“We are very excited for this year’s event as our committees have worked really hard over the last several months to put a quality product on the field for all to enjoy,” Tournament spokesman Randy Douglas said.

The Dick Crahan Memorial concession stand and the Dave Connell “Dave’s Den” memorial beer stand will be in operation all weekend long. There will be 50/50 raffles available and for the fourth year in a row, the softball throw contest will take place.

“There aren’t too many festivals that have continued for 63 years running, and we are very proud to continue as the economic impact from this tournament is realized throughout the entire North Country,” Douglas said. “Our tournament is known all over the world as top players can’t wait to return every year from the USA, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela and Australia, just to name a few countries with athletes participating.”

The main ticket gate and concession stands will be open starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 11.