The International Softball Congress World Fastball Tournament will be played at Jack Williams Stadium - and at selected television spots throughout the United States and Canada.
The ISC has agreed to a production package with WDAY-TV for the Aug. 21 championship game. The station will air the game over its ABC network affiliates in North Dakota and provide a satellite uplink for any networks, local stations or sports bars.
It's an effort by the ISC to market the game to selected audience pockets at a national level. It is not charging networks or sports bars to pick up the game.
"There are certain hotbeds of the country where there's a built-in crowd," said Dave Blackburn, a volunteer with the ISC who lends his expertise through his Los Angeles-based production company called Virtual Ventures.
Blackburn said the ISC is airing the game for the exposure.
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"I feel strongly that the athletes that play this game at the highest level are as good as any athletes in the country," Blackburn said.
It will be the first time in 10 years the ISC title game will be on live TV. The last production of any type was in 1994 when the tournament was held in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island.
"This is an opportunity we have waited years for," said ISC Executive Director Ken Hackmeister.
The ISC said WDAY's long history of sports productions made it a natural fit. The ISC is paying the station for its production services.
The potential audience depends on how many outlets pick it up. Blackburn said the ISC has been in discussions with cable networks Fox Sports Net and TNN to air the game on a tape-delayed basis.
Ron Chambers of Bakersfield, Calif., will do the play-by-play and Blackburn the color commentary for the broadcast.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Kolpack at (701) 241-5546
