Nearly 70 teams from across Alaska and the Yukon were in Whitehorse this past weekend for the Dustball International Tournament, but in the end it was the local teams who walked away with top bragging rights.

Whitehorse teams swept the A division finals, including a win in men's A for the first time in three years, thanks to P&M Recyling.

It was also the first time in three years that Juneau team Imerial Saloon didn't make it to the final day of men's A action. Instead, Skagway crew Chico's Bail Bonds gave the Guns a run for their money.

The Guns were down by two runs after the first inning, but rallied in the second and kept the lead until the final out, edging Chico's 14-13.

"That was a pretty good finish to Dustball,” said Guns player Mike Tuton. "It was (Chico's Bail Bonds) first time in it — they were aways in B before — and they gave us a good game. They're a really good hitting team, so that forced us to respond.”

Midway through the game, the Guns had a bit of a scare when team captain Troy Cairns collided with Matt Kramer in the outfield and was down for several minutes.

He tried to continue on but eventually left the game favouring his left arm.

"That fired us up,” said Tuton. "That's our captain. So when he went down, we had to rally and win it for him.”

In the women's A final, it was Yukon Gold claiming victory for the third straight year. They had lost to Juneau's Chicks With Sticks earlier in the tournament, but handed a chance for revenge on Sunday they made it look easy, posting a 14-2 win.

"Every year we come in wanting to repeat,” said captain Carol Fields. "This year was a challenge for sure. We lost to (Chicks With Sticks) earlier 10-6, because we didn't hit very well. But we were much better today.

"We're always solid defensively, and when our bats get going we're very hard to beat.”

Completing the sweep for Whitehorse were the AFD Trappers, who took the co-ed A final over Juneau's Kappler Computers 13-10.

The final out was somewhat controversial, with boos raining down from the crowd, but it made no difference as the Trappers won by three.

Dustball organizers made a significant rule change in this year's tournament, adding a five-run limite for all innings except the last one. The change received mixed reviews.

"I think that made a real difference for our games,” said Fields. "It definately has it's advantages.”

On the men's side, Tuton said the rule wasn't very popular, but Program Coordinator Jean Poulin said it served it's purpose.

"I think it really kept the game moving along. Teams were able to get more innings in.”

The weather cooperated for the most part over the weekend, with blistering sunshine through Friday and parts of Saturday. Sunday was cloudy and windy, but the rain held off during the finals bringing a good-size crowd to the diamonds.

"It was exciting,” said Tuton. "The stands were pretty much full and the crowd was loud, which made for a great atmosphere.”

The top three finishers in each division at the tournament were as follows:

Men's A

1st: P&M Recycling, Whitehorse

2nd: Chico's Bail Bonds, Skagway

3rd: Royal Flush, Whitehorse

Men's B

1st: Kappler Computers, Juneau

2nd: Southeast Mine Supply, Juneau

3rd: Rounders, Juneau

Men's C

1st: Jats Landscaping, Whitehorse

2nd: Roadhouse Reds, Whitehorse

3rd: Klukwan, Haines

Men's D

1st: Frank's Auto Detail, Whitehorse

2nd: Ramrod, Whitehorse

3rd: WD40s, Whitehorse

Women's A

1st: Yukon Gold, Whitehorse

2nd: Chicks, Juneau

3rd: White Pass, Skagway

Women's B

1st: YKAK, Whitehorse

2nd: Nuway Ball Crushers, Whitehorse

3rd: Champagne Aishihik, Whitehorse

Women's C

1st: Co-op Raider Girlz, Whitehorse

2nd: Parts Plus, Juneau

3rd: Pillagettes, Whitehorse

Co-ed A

1st: AFD Trappers, Whitehorse

2nd: Kappler Computers, Juneau

3rd: Jat's Landscaping, Whitehorse

Co-ed B

1st: Ryder Construction, Juneau

2nd: Terrorizers, Whitehorse

3rd: Haz Gas, Juneau

Co-ed C

1st: Sandors Sluggers, Whitehorse

2nd: Pub Crawlers, Whitehorse

3rd: Ticam Tile & Stone, Whitehorse