Prince George, B.C. – The World Baseball Challenge is preparing to take Citizen Field by storm in August and one of the lead-up events to the international tournament is being held this weekend.

Organizers of the Challenge are looking to raise the profile this year and tonight’s Grand Slam party is one of the initiatives they’ve undertaken to put the event out there, front and centre.  Organizer Karl Sanders says “I put this event together to promote and raise awareness for the main event and the brand of the World Baseball Challenge.”

“As you know last year we decided to postpone the event (WBC) and we’re going strong this year, so now it’s just about building up the brand, getting some engagement happening and letting everyone know that the World Baseball Challenge is alive and well and we’re going to have a great event this year.”

Sanders says they’re looking at bringing in six or seven teams for the tournament.  “I can tell you that we’ve got the Americans, we have one of the best industrial league Canadian teams called Sidearm Nation from Langley coming this year.”  Also lined up are teams from Japan, Cuba and the Bahamas.

As for tonight’s Grand Slam at the Blackburn Community Hall, Sanders says “we’ve got Roger West coming out, he’s a really good country rock singer, a beautiful 5-course dinner, a 50/50 draw, one free drink with your Grand Slam ticket and the rest costing $4 each, dancing and we have shuttle service and security.”  Doors of the hall (2451 Blackburn Road) open at 6 pm, dinner starts at 7 and the event runs to 11:30 pm.

Tickets are $55 apiece, there are still a few available and you can get them by calling 778-349-4497 or dropping by 2274 South Nicholson Street.

Sanders says the Grand Slam is not a fundraiser for the WBC.  “No, the event will pay for itself and that’s about it.  We have a number of companies that have shelled out cash to buy tables, so this will be a really good opportunity to talk about the World Baseball Challenge and raise awareness about the main event.  We want people to start living the brand, instead of just every two years, “oh we have an event”, right?  The goal is to raise attendance at the main event and support for it as well.”

He says the plan is to hold the Grand Slam every year in February to raise awareness and some funds for the World Baseball Challenge.

The WBC dates this year are August 12^th to 20^th, but that could be extended in the event of rain-outs.