Stories we loved to tell: When the Rankin Inlet Freaks won it all

In this year-end series, Nunatsiaq News staff look back on their most memorable stories from 2023.

James Merritt delivered the best quote I heard as a reporter this year when he described how his softball team, the Rankin Inlet Freaks, won the Canadian co-ed softball slo-pitch national tournament in Winnipeg on Aug. 6.

The Freaks were in the final inning of the final game and held a one-run lead against the Churchill Bandits.

There was one out but the Bandits were at bat and had the tying run at third base and the winning run at second. Their best hitter was at the plate, and hit the ball deep to left field.

Freaks outfielder Seamas Ayaruak made the catch. He threw an absolute cannon to home plate and got the out, winning the game 10-9 for the Freaks and securing the championship.

That’s when Merritt told Ayaruak: “On my deathbed, I’m going to remember that throw.”

On top of being my favourite quote, the story of the Rankin Inlet Freaks winning the national tournament was my favourite story to tell as a reporter this year at Nunatsiaq News.

I loved it because, as Merritt also said, the Freaks’ journey to winning and how they pulled it off was something you could make into a movie.

The team had been going to the tournament for 10 years but had never won. This year, they encountered adversity as they faced the Bandits in the semifinals and the Bandits blew them out.

The win allowed the Bandits to advance to the finals. The Freaks, meanwhile, had to win one more game to get to a rematch in the final.

To do that — and then beat the team that had smoked them earlier in the tournament — showed the tenacity of these Nunavut athletes.

Locked in a tight game and with an out-of-this-world throw to win it all, it truly did sound like a scripted sports movie.

On top of that, the Freaks were a close team — Merritt said they had been playing together since they were children. I can imagine the buildup to this moment was genuine.

A story like this highlights Nunavut’s passion for sport as well. Whether it is hockey, softball, indoor soccer or basketball, the activity brings a community together.

Throughout the territory, there are tournaments held for all kinds of sports that help connect communities.

The Freaks winning that tournament shows not only their talent, but the prevalence of sport in Nunavut.

Also, the Freaks receiving great feedback from others at the tournament proves another theme I’ve noticed when covering sport, which is that when Nunavummiut go south for sports tournaments they are always among the loudest fans and most supportive athletes.

As we roll into 2024, I hope to continue hearing more stories like this about the success of sport in Nunavut.