Registration opens for 2026 Clayton Askoty Memorial Softball tournament

TAYLOR, B.C. — It will soon be time to ‘play ball’ – with the common opponent raising funds for mental health initiatives and suicide prevention – in Taylor.

The eighth annual Clayton Askoty Memorial slo-pitch tournament will take over the Taylor baseball diamonds near the end of May, with as much as $18,000 in prize money on the line.

Festivities during the alcohol and drug-free event will include a home run derby, a men’s and women’s draw, a most valuable player (MVP) vote, equipment draws and more, according to a Facebook post.

It is held annually every year to honor its namesake, the brother of Prophet River First Nation (PRFN) chief Valerie Askoty.  

The event was founded after Clayton took his own life in 2012.

Accredited umpiring will be on hand over the three-day event, with a guaranteed five-game schedule, according to the post. 

Gameplay will follow National Softball Association (NSA) rules, including seven-inning contests.

Registration is $600 per team, and on-site camping will be available throughout the event.

The eighth annual Clayton Askoty Memorial slo-pitch takes place from Friday, May 22nd to Sunday, May 24th at the Taylor baseball diamonds, located at 9880 Cherry Avenue West in Taylor.

To sign up, call Valerie Askoty at (587) 343-4973 or Ferlin Makadahay at (250) 264-7468 to register a team.
Energeticcity.ca has reached out to PRFN Chief Valerie Askoty for further comment.