In 1977 the Mitchell Lion’s Club and the Mitchell & District Kinsmen started a community event in Mitchell, Ontario named ‘Cornfest’. After a successful first year, some of the Lion’s Club members approached Mike Uniac and Dave Chessell at the local coffee shop asking if the Grizzlies would like to enhance the annual event by adding a slo-pitch tournament. The Grizzlies liked the idea and took the opportunity to set up an 8 team Men’s tournament. In 1978 the Mitchell Coyotes were crowned the inaugural Cornfest Slo-Pitch champions with an 8-7 victory over Stratford Lloyd’s Electric. The following year, the tournament expanded to 16 Men’s teams, and in 1992 a Women’s division was added. The event has continued to evolve to what now includes near 60 teams spread over Men’s Open & Recreational and Women’s Open & Recreational divisions.
The Mitchell Grizzlies Cornfest Slo-Pitch tournament takes place on the 3rd weekend of August each year and has become a fixture within Mitchell and the surrounding community. The event is now one of the most competitive and respected slo-pitch tournaments in Ontario, drawing teams from across Ontario, including a few teams from Indianapolis, Indiana over the years. Through a lot of hard work and dedication, the Grizzlies have been able to maintain the long standing success of the Cornfest Slo-Pitch tournament. Proceeds are donated within the community, with special interest given to the Minor Sports Associations and the community sporting facilities.