The Lethbridge Elks are hosting the Alberta Montana Double A American Legion Baseball Tournament for the first time in more than 10 years this weekend. Preparations are underway at Spitz Stadium in Lethbridge for the tournament. Lethbridge will be the lone Canadian representative in this year’s tournament. It’s the first time the event has been held in Lethbridge since 2014 and Elks head coach Scott Oikawa says he’s pumped up. “Definitely excited,“ Oikawa said. ”I mean, we haven’t hosted since 2014, and, due to COVID and such, it got pushed back a little bit. But we’re quite excited and having a pretty, pretty successful year.” It’s also the 45th anniversary of American Legion baseball in Lethbridge. The Elks have won the championship five times in their history, most recently in 2004. Oikawa says he thinks the Elks have a chance in 2026. “Anybody in a state tournament can beat anybody,” Oikawa said. “So you just hope that you come out with your best game and, because it is a double knockout style, you know, you you do have that second life, but you just hope that you play well, each and every game.” Teams from across Montana are heading north to take part in the state tournament. Elks players feel confident they’ll be able to feed off their homefield advantage. “I don’t see it as any added pressure,” said Elks catcher Willis Takahashi. “I think it’s cool. We get to play the night games, we get to have our families here and all the big crowds kind of wanting us to win. So I think it’s, if anything, it’s kind of a just confidence boost instead of pressure.” The Elks have had a strong season, going 17-7 in conference play. They narrowly missed out on finishing the regular season in first place. But the group feels they have a team ready to bring home a title. “It’ll be great,” said right fielder Midnite Toker. “We’ve been, like, first place all year, so means a big moment. We’ve been doing really good so far. So looking forward to it.Bringing in get action. You know, at home. It’ll be great. Hopefully pack the barn, you know?” If the Elks win the tournament, they’ll head t Oregon in August for the American Legion regionals. The winner of that tournmanet goes on to the American Legion World Series. The tournament starts Saturday and runs until next Wednesday. Lethbridge plays their first game Saturday at 7 p.m.
