Staff
The month-long journey to determine the 2013 Rainy River District Fastball League champion begins tonight (weather permitting).
The first set of double elimination playoff contests includes the seventh-place Stratton Eagles (10-8) hosting the 10th-seeded Sabaskong Cubs (6-12).
That winner then will go up against second-ranked Beef’s Warriors (14-4) on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, the sixth-seeded Rainy River Royals (10-7-1) will entertain the 11th-ranked Northwest Bay Chieftains (5-13-1) tonight, with a showdown against the third-place Barwick Blue Knights (12-6) on Thursday night on the line.
Elsewhere, the eighth-ranked Couchiching Raiders (9-9) will host the ninth-seeded Big Island Huskies (7-11).
The winner of that game then will have to face the top-ranked Big Grassy Braves (16-2) on Thursday.
The Braves, led by RRDFL home run leader Travis Tom (12), are looking for a second-straight league title.
In other action tonight, the 13th-seeded Sabaskong Lakers (0-18) will visit the fourth-place Manitou Thunderbirds (12-6).
The Thunderbirds feature the league’s top pitcher in Bob Andy (11-3).
The winner of that game will return to action Thursday night against the victor of tonight’s match-up between the fifth-ranked Sight & Sound Wolves and the 12th-seeded Dawson Tigers.
The losers of the Lakers/Thunderbirds game and the Wolves/Tigers match-up also will go head-to-head Thursday night in what will the first elimination contest of the post-season.
The RRDFL final will take place Tuesday, Aug. 27.
A second game, if needed, is slated for Thursday, Aug. 29.
