While the 30th Grand Forks International baseball tournament may still be five months away, preparation for the event is well underway, as organizers have been working diligently to make this hallmark event, one to remember.

Newly elected tournament coordinator Joan Thomas has her sights set high as she looks to build on the past and towards the future.

“I hope to build on the efforts of previous tournament coordinators, Larry Seminoff, Gerry Foster, and Everett Baker. They have all done remarkable jobs and I hope I can do this tourney justice. I am honoured to be a part of this memorable event for not only the GFI, but also the community. Thirty tournaments is something special.”

The first Grand Forks International took place in 1968, and while it has changed shape and form over the years, as well as taken several hiatuses, the tournament has always taken place over the Labour Day long weekend.

According to Thomas, this year’s event will also host another amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) fundraiser, and hopefully another exhibition game featuring a local Grand Forks team.

“We raised $2,000 for the ALS Society last year and are hoping to raise more this year,” explained Thomas.

ALS is better know as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the New York Yankees baseball great who was diagnosed with the disease in 1938.

The line up for the 30th running of the GFI has also begun to take shape as seven of the 12 teams spots have been confirmed, including the return of the defending champions, the Lewiston Truckers.

Playing alongside Lewiston will be Team Canada, Seattle Studs, Reno Stars, Victoria Mavericks as well as a team from Thurston County and the Fraser Valley. Teams from Russia and Pakistan have been contacted, but not confirmed.

This year’s edition of the GFI takes place Sept. 1 to 6.

For more information on the GFI visit, www.grandforksbaseball.com.