A visiting Mariners player in the 2007 bank holiday open. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0443330)

THE biggest slowpitch softball tournament of the year is taking place this weekend. Held on the Beau Sejour diamonds, the Sarnian Roofing Open tournament sees seven teams battle it out today, tomorrow and Monday.

Rain is forecast for the weekend, but Guernsey Softball Association committee member Matt Marquis believes it will be a cracking event if the weather behaves itself. ‘It depends on the weather,’ he said.

‘If the weather holds off it should be good. We’ve got the five top local teams plus the Mariners and the Sharks, who are both based in the Solent area.’ The two visiting sides have entered the competition before.

Mariners are a social side comprising players from the Solent League that take part in grade A and B competitions. ‘The Sharks enter year after year. They don’t bring their strongest team over, but they are good as well. ‘The two should be in the semis.’