Hit Squad wins Calm Air Cup
$10,000 went to the winners of the Rankin Inlet co-ed softball tournament
Bat Attitude shortstop Ben Tulugak steps up to bat during the Calm Air Cup co-ed softball tournament in Rankin Inlet last week. Tulugak’s team didn’t win against the Hit Squad, but he did earn the honour of being named Best Infielder after the game. (Photo by Daron Letts)
The 38th and final game of the 2026 Calm Air Cup featured a home-team showdown at Rankin Inlet’s Justin Merritt ballpark on Sunday afternoon.
The Hit Squad beat the Bat Attitudes 18-6, earning the winning team a $10,000 prize fundraised by members of the Rankin Inlet Co-ed Softball League.
Individual awards went out to Kelsie Kaludjak of Rankin Inlet’s Avengers for top outfielder; Ben Tulugak of Rankin Inlet’s Bat Attitudes for top infielder; and Keith Sigurdson of the Rankin Inlet’s Hit Squad for top pitcher.
The five-day competition featured teams from Arviat, Baker Lake, Coral Harbour, Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet. Players from Whale Cove came to join some of the teams as well.
The 135 players registered marked an increase from recent years, said organizer Kandace Graham.
Six of the 10 teams were from Rankin Inlet.
Teams had a maximum of 14 players, with at least six men and four women per side.
The top two teams are now eligible to compete in the 2027 national tournament hosted by Softball Canada, the locations for which are yet to be announced.
The Calm Air Cup has been around since at least 1995, Graham said.
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