For only the second time in history, the International Softball Federation’s World Men’s Softball Championships will be held in Canada, and the championships are coming to Saskatoon.

The only other time the event was held in Canada was in 1988, also in Saskatoon. It is a venue that the ISF has come to appreciate and has rewarded Saskatoon the right to host the championship yet again, the first site since the tournament’s inception in 1966 to host the tournament twice. With opening pitch slated for the morning of July 17, the buzz around this tournament is starting to percolate in baseball circles in the city.

Generally, championships are held every four years. This year’s championship breaks with tradition and comes five years after New Zealand hosted the event.