Blooper Ball Entries Sought

Family event held during annual Heikki Lunta Winterfest.

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 NEGAUNEE — Old Towne Festival Park  in Negaunee is home to the Blooper Ball Winter Softball Tournament, a family-oriented tournament that's part of the annual Heikki Lunta Winterfest put on by the Negaunee Irontown Association. It will be held on on Sunday, January 22, 2012.

This single-elimination tournament will culminate in a championship game, with time depending on the number of teams participating.

“People of all ages are encouraged to play in the Blooper Ball Tournament,” Negaunee Irontown Association President Kimme Peterson said. “This year we are hoping to receive enough interest to have two divisions, one for adults and the other for family and youth”

A minimum of eight players is required to participate. An honor system will be in place; no strikes or balls will be called. Batters and runners can be called out by a fly ball caught by a fielder; if a ball is thrown and hits the runner; and/or a fielder tags a runner with a ball or is forced out at a base. There will be three outs per inning.

A maximum of five runs per inning will be permitted. The games will be one hour long.

The tournament will use medium-sized rubber/plastic balls. Teams may use aluminum, wood or plastic bats, with a length not to exceed 28 inches. Teams are permitted to bring their own bats as long as they meet the aforementioned standards.

The entry fee is $15 per team. A maximum of 10 teams per division will be permitted to enter, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Deadline is Monday, January 16.

A Blooper Ball trophy will be awarded to the first-place team. The Negaunee Irontown Association will run a concession stand, and coffee and hot chocolate will be available.