Devren Dear hopes to make it the third time a charm at the 2025 USSSA Slow-pitch Challenge Cup this weekend down in Viera, FL.
The 30-year-old St. Andrews native is entering his third Challenge Cup in Team Canada West’s outfield, where he’s helped them finish ninth and 15th place in the past two years.
The Challenge Cup, which features the top softball teams from states, regions, and countries worldwide, is better known as the “Slow-pitch Olympics” because it is the most prestigious tournament in the sport.
Dear and Team Canada West’s training is much more difficult than most at the tournament because American and other international teams can train outdoors year round.
Dear’s training leading up to the tournament has been centered around gym workouts and weekly batting practice.
Just a few days before the tournament, he said he felt better about his game than he ever had before entering the Challenge Cup.
“I’m playing the best I’ve ever been the last couple years and I’m finally at the age where I’m smart enough now and not just a young kid so I’m a veteran now. It’s a little different but I enjoy it and I’m at my best now,” said Dear.
Dear is also looking forward to playing alongside his Canada West teammates, whom he only plays with once a year at the Challenge Cup, as he plays his club slow-pitch locally for the Southern Sailors and Anarchy Astors.
Like other years, Team Canada West is primarily made up of players from Alberta and British Columbia, with Dear as the only exception. Each year, the team is selected by coaches who scout players from across the four western provinces.
Having been the only Manitoban on the team for the past three years, Dear is excited to represent Canada, Manitoba, and St. Andrews again on the national stage.
“It’s been pretty special especially coming from a small town like St. Andrews, it’s kind of nice to get represented on such a large scale,” said Dear. “It’s awesome to get back and play with some of the boys I’ve been with for three years now. It’s better to play with them then against them.”
Team Canada West’s tournament kicks off this Thursday against Team New England at 10:40 p.m. at Space Coast Complex Stadium in Viera.
They will play two games in Pool B, which features Team Arkansas, Team Canada West, Team New England, and Team Ohio. Each team will make the playoffs, and the first-place team will get a bye to the quarterfinals.
Team Canada West is seeking their first-ever gold medal at the tournament.
