For the last 49 summers, the third weekend of July has held significance in the city of Dunkirk thanks to an annual softball tournament that helped put Dunkirk on the map. This year is no different, but this might be the last year that is the case.

This weekend marks the 50th annual Men’s Fastpitch Tournament, sponsored by Dunkirk’s First Ward Falcon Club. The 50th time would be special enough on its own, but barring a change of heart, this year will be the final year of the annual tournament.

Tournament organizer Tim Wdowiasz pointed to declining numbers in the sport and the lack of pitching as obstacles for the tournament to continue. While nothing is final just yet, it is trending toward this being the final year of the annual event.

“I’ve had a lot of fun playing and running the tournament,” Wdowiasz said. “It’s always been a lot of great memories. A lot of great friendships have developed throughout the decades, playing and traveling together. … It’s not just the softball, it’s the friendships that you develop through the years.”

If it is the final year after all, the tournament is hoping to go out with a bang.

To show respect to the history of the tournament, this year’s event will begin with an Old Timers & Girls game on Friday at 4 p.m., at Promenschenkel Stadium.

“We’re trying to get some of the old timers down here to watch the game one last time, if this is the final tournament,” Wdowiasz said.

Following the conclusion of the Old Timers & Girls game, the tournament will officially begin at approximately 5:45 p.m., Friday evening. Games will continue all weekend, spread across several fields, including Promenschenkel Stadium, Koch’s Field, and the field at School No. 7. The championship game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., Sunday afternoon at Promenschenkel Stadium.

The tournament began in 1975, led by organizers Mike “Harvey” Tofil and Jim “Tails” Fafinski. The recent half of the tournament’s existence has been led by Wdowiasz, known as “Dopey,” who took over at the turn of the century.

Over the years, the tournament grew as it became a tradition in the city, bringing teams from all across the region and beyond to compete. Thousands of players from around the world have visited Dunkirk and participated in the event. The local economy was a major beneficiary of the tournament for the past 50 years, as guests visiting Dunkirk for the weekend often stayed in hotel rooms and visited local stores and restaurants. Wdowiasz said close to 30 hotel rooms have been booked for this weekend’s event, but that number used to be even higher in years past.

“When it used to be a bigger tournament, you couldn’t get a hotel room around here. It has a big impact. A lot of people look forward to the weekend,” Wdowiasz said. “… It’s been wonderful to have and keep around for the community. A lot of people do look forward to it. That’s what I did it for.”

Wdowiasz began playing in the tournament in 1988. A last-minute cancellation from a Canadian team left the tournament in a bad spot, so Wdowiasz was part of a group of local players that formed a team to fill the open spot. He has not missed a year since.

Wdowiasz recalls the glory days of the tournament, back to when more than 25 teams would utilize six different fields throughout the city to compete in a double elimination format. Now, it is much more challenging to find teams to participate. With many teams not willing to travel for a double elimination tournament, Dunkirk’s annual event now guarantees teams at least three games, with a playoff system on Sunday determining a champion. Through a steady decline throughout the years, fewer teams are competing in tournaments like Dunkirk’s, and there is a lack of pitchers dedicating time to the craft.

“Pitching is always an issue. We just don’t have any young kids pitching anymore,” Wdowiasz said. “… The decline in the sport has really hit a low. Even though there is a lot of young kids playing in our league, it’s just unfortunate that it’s come to this.”

This year’s tournament features nine teams, including four teams from Canada visiting for the weekend to compete. Three local teams will compete for the title, as well. Wdowiasz highlighted that some of the teams from out of town will be bringing high quality pitching to the tournament.

Wdowiasz hoped to have 12 teams in the tournament, but the number of participants was impacted by the International Softball Conference’s annual World Tournament being moved to a week after Dunkirk’s tournament, beginning July 26 in Mankato, Minn.

Despite fewer teams than in years past, Wdowiasz hopes this year’s tournament will offer plenty of excitement. In addition to the entertainment on the fields, DJ Joe Gould will perform Friday night at Promenschenkel Stadium. Saturday night, from 8-11 p.m., Party McFly will take the stage at the First Ward Falcon Club. Raffles, t-shirts, and concessions will also be available at the Stadium all weekend.

Friday will feature three games in tournament play, including Dunkirk Lakeside against Team 5010 United; Dunkirk Fast Pitch against Bronx Bombers; and Ohsweken Redmen against Wyevale. Saturday will feature 11 games across all three fields, while seven games will take place Sunday, including the championship at 2:30 p.m.

Sponsors for the tournament include the First Ward Falcon Club, the Moniuszko Club, the Kosciuszko Club, Dunkirk Falcons, Dunkirk Lakeside Club, Dunkirk Exempts Club, American Legion Post 62, and the City of Dunkirk Recreation Department. Wdowiasz also offered thanks to all the past and present volunteers that have contributed to the annual event.